A vast front of wildfires now out of control is severely testing the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, forcing the evacuation of over 25,000 people.
However, the emergency is not limited to Canada alone: the thick smoke produced by the flames has drastically affected air quality in several U.S. states, including Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, with pollution levels deemed dangerous by authorities.
While experts warn of a possible worsening of the situation, forecasts indicate that the smoke curtain could even reach New York.
Most of the displaced come from Manitoba, where a state of emergency was declared last week. In this area, 17,000 people have already left their homes. About 5,000 come from the city of Flin Flon, located approximately 400 miles from Winnipeg, threatened by a fire that started in Creighton, Saskatchewan, which reportedly spread rapidly.
In the northern part of the province, the flames have interrupted the power supply to Cranberry Portage, forcing authorities to order the evacuation of about 600 residents. Another 1,300 people were evacuated from Alberta and 8,000 from Saskatchewan. Law enforcement has specified that these numbers may increase due to the evolving fires, which are still active in several areas.
Besides deteriorating air quality, the smoke has reduced visibility over vast areas, creating difficult conditions for both residents and rescuers. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reported that conditions can change rapidly throughout the day and over short distances, emphasizing that an increase in smoke clouds raises public health risks.
Aerial firefighting operations have been interrupted several times due to the dense smoke cover and the presence of drones. To support the efforts, the U.S. Forest Service has sent a tanker truck to Alberta and plans to deploy an additional 150 firefighters.
The wildfire season in the “Land of the Maple Leaf,” which lasts from May to September, reached its peak in 2023, when numerous fires enveloped much of North America in a dense toxic cloud that persisted for months, posing serious health risks.
