Warmer weather expected to worsen wildfire conditions in Manitoba

Following days of colder temperatures, warming weather has returned to Manitoba, and with it, higher fire danger levels, specifically on the province’s western border, where officials are monitoring a pair of fires that could merge into Manitoba’s first ‘Giga’ fire.

“We have had some rain in certain areas of the province, but it’s met with cautious optimism because with the rain sometimes comes lightning as well,” said Ian Bushie, the Natural Resources & Indigenous Futures Minister of Manitoba.

The area surrounding the town of Flin Flon remains the site of the province’s largest blaze, last measured at over 300,000 hectares, and in recent days has crept towards the fire north near Pukatawagan. Creating the potential for what is called a ‘Giga’-fire, a new term used to describe infernos that have engulf over 400,000 hectares. 

But, while the new designation sounds intimidating, officials believe preparations are in place to protect both communities.

“Even if they did merge, I’m not sure there would be significant community impacts coming out of that, just maybe a new term to use,” said Kristen Hayward, the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

Regardless of what you call these large fires, they are happening far more often, according to Rob McAlpine, former head of Response and Operations for Ontario’s wildland fire program. 

“You can call them Mega-fires, or Giga-fires, or whatever. They are just really big fires,” said McAlpine.

Who says that when he began firefighting in 1980, fires of this size were few and far between? Now they are expected. 

“We see multiple fires of over 3-400,000 hectares burning together, having that happen on a regular basis is new for Canada for sure,” said McAlpine.

As for why the province is experiencing such a severe fire season, University of Manitoba Climatologist Alex Crawford says it comes down to a number of factors, but in this case, he says the province was hit by a perfect storm: an abundance of fuel, dry temperatures, and high winds.

“If the fires all were like to instantly turn off right now, it would still be the 8^th most burnt in Manitoba on record since 1914,” said Crawford.

“Because it’s been a long time since we’ve had such a bad fire season, we probably have more fuel this year than a lot of other provinces that burned really well in 2023, so in other words, you might say Manitoba was due.”

While some evacuees have begun returning to their communities, due to the size of the fires, McAlpine estimates that fire crews will still be needed for months to come. 

“The fire management folks are going to be monitoring that to make sure that it doesn’t start kicking up smoke again or throwing out embers again. That is a job that will probably go until the snow flies,” said McAlpine.

Premier Wab Kinew was in Flin Flon Thursday morning, meeting with firefighters and boots on the ground, and is expected to deliver an update later this evening.