Canada's 2025 wildfire season now second-worst on record, fuelled by Prairies blazes
Canada's 2025 wildfire season is now the second-worst on record.
The latest figures posted by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre suggest the fires have torn through 72,000 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of New Brunswick.
That surpasses the next worst season in 1989 and is about half the area burned during the record-setting 2023 season, according to a federal database of wildfire seasons dating back to 1972.
Harvest could limit wildfire help from local fire fighters
As wildfires continue to burn in northern Manitoba, our local fire departments continue to send volunteer fire fighters to help out.
However, that could change in the coming weeks and months, according to Greg Zimmerman, Coordinator of the Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District.
Smoky skies shatter July records across the Prairies
The smell of campfire in the air might seem familiar by now, but this summer’s haze isn't just a nuisance: it’s historic.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, July 2025 was the smokiest July on record for many Prairie cities, and we’re now on track for the smokiest year.
“Regina, Winnipeg, Thompson, Kenora, they all recorded their smokiest month on record for July,” explains Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke. “As far as the year so far, these places are on pace to have their worst year ever for the number of smoke hours observed.”
Time to move forward on national agency to fight forest fires, chiefs say
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says it's time for Ottawa to stop studying the idea of a national forest fire co-ordination agency and take action.
The organization's president wants the federal government to take inspiration from the U.S. Fire Administration to establish a similar office in Canada.
The U.S. office is part of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, but Ken McMullen says a Canadian version could be simpler and less costly.
Manitoba extends state of emergency as wildfires continue to burn
Manitoba has extended its provincewide state of emergency until Aug. 22 as wildfires continue to burn across the province.
The state of emergency, declared under the Emergency Measures Act, was reinstated on July 10 for a 30-day period. It had previously been in place from May 28 to June 23 before being lifted when fire activity subsided.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Emergency Management Organization said Thursday that the extension is necessary due to the ongoing wildfire situation.
Provincewide emergency extended amid growing fire threat
The provincewide state of emergency declared last month in Manitoba will be extended until Aug. 22, as wildfires continue to rage across the province, displacing thousands and stretching emergency resources.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Emergency Management Organization made the announcement on Thursday, noting the original order, put in place on July 10, was set to expire after 30 days.
Poor air quality alert issued as wildfire smoke moves back in
Wildfire smoke has once again made its way into the region, bringing with it hazy skies and reduced air quality expected to last until at least Friday.
Health officials are reminding residents to take precautions, especially those who are more sensitive to air pollution, such as seniors, young children, individuals who are pregnant or have chronic conditions, and anyone who works outdoors.
If you or someone in your household falls into one of those groups, it’s best to limit or avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Smoke can cause health risks even for healthy individuals.
Kinew accuses group of Republicans of pitching 'timber tantrum' over wildfire smoke
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew accused a group of Republicans of throwing a "timber tantrum" and playing "political games" after they called out Canada over wildfires sending smoke billowing across the international border into their states.
"These are attention-seekers who can't come up with a good idea on health care or on making life more affordable," Kinew told The Canadian Press. "So they're playing games with something that's very serious."
Are the smoky conditions impacting insect populations?
Some residents of Southern Manitoba have been noticing different trends this summer when it comes to insects. And the question has been asked whether our smoky conditions have played a role.
John Gavloski is an Entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture. He says studies have been done with biting flies and smoke. However, he cautions that the tricky part is that the impact of the smoke is very dependent on the intensity and the duration.
"So, trying to make implications to what is happening in Southern Manitoba with the Northern Manitoba wildfires is very tricky," he says.
Fire risk still high across Manitoba as wildfire numbers grow
The risk of wildfires remains high or very high across most of Manitoba.
Tuesday afternoon, the Manitoba Wildfire Service reported 165 active wildfires—up from 127 just a week ago on July 29.
So far this year, the province has seen 401 wildfires, which is 102 more than the average for this time of year.