Smoke rises after fire erupts in Fort Nelson, B.C. on May 14, 2024. Cheyenne Berreault/Anadolu via Getty Images
As of Tuesday, 113 wildfires were burning across Canada, with 24 classified as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Significant fires are raging in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba.
Climate change is extending fire seasons in Canada, making fires more severe and difficult to manage.
Here's a detailed look at the most pressing wildfire situations in Western Canada.
Fort Nelson, B.C. Fires Continue Amid Evacuations
In northeastern British Columbia, two major wildfires persist, with some evacuation orders still in place. Mayor Rob Fraser of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality reported that drones were interfering with helicopters fighting the fires near Fort Nelson. Fraser warned that drone operators would face severe legal consequences, as drones pose a significant risk to the pilots and could cause crashes.
As of Monday, B.C. had 119 active wildfires: 10 out of control, four being held, and 105 under control. The province issued six evacuation orders and six alerts, affecting areas including the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Fort Nelson First Nation, and Lytton First Nation. At Doig River First Nation, an evacuation order was downgraded to an alert.
B.C. has deployed 425 firefighting personnel, two incident management teams, 42 aviation resources, 17 pieces of heavy equipment, and 48 structure protection resources. The BC Wildfire Service noted that favorable weather in the province's northeast would help firefighting efforts, although drought conditions remain severe.
Manitoba Residents Receive Support Post-Evacuation
In Manitoba, 675 residents of Cranberry Portage and surrounding areas, who were evacuated due to wildfires last week, returned home on Sunday and may receive emergency financial aid. This support is in addition to the assistance provided by Emergency Social Services for extended evacuations.
The fire near Flin Flon remained at about 370 square kilometers as of Friday, but officials managed to control the fireline closest to Cranberry Portage. Manitoba had five active fires as of Sunday, including one out of control. Firefighting efforts included six water bombers, 14 helicopters, and three additional aircraft, supported by 50 firefighters.
Fort McMurray, Alberta Sees Rain Aid Firefighting Efforts
In Alberta, crews reported no new growth in the wildfire burning southwest of Fort McMurray, thanks to recent rain. The fire status was downgraded from "out of control" to "being held," allowing 6,600 residents from several neighborhoods to return home. As of Monday, the fire remained approximately 5.5 kilometers from the Fort McMurray landfill and 4.5 kilometers from a major highway intersection. The firefighting effort involved 233 firefighters and 22 helicopters. More rain is expected in the coming days, which should help control the fire further.
Northern B.C. Benefits from Rain and Cooler Temperatures
Rain and cooler temperatures in northern British Columbia provided favorable conditions for fighting two significant wildfires near Fort Nelson. The Parker Lake wildfire and the Patry Creek wildfire showed minimal growth. Despite these improvements, the region remains in a long-term drought.
Evacuation Orders and Alerts in Alberta and B.C.
Two out-of-control wildfires in Northern B.C. led to an evacuation order for Fort Nelson, impacting 4,700 residents, though some stayed behind to assist firefighting efforts. B.C. had 123 active wildfires as of the latest update, with 38 fires declared in the last week and 16 in the last 24 hours. Ten of these fires were out of control, six were being held, and 107 were under control. There were eight evacuation orders and five alerts in place.
In Alberta, 42 active wildfires were reported, with one significant wildfire of note. Evacuation alerts covered several communities, including parts of Fort McMurray and nearby areas. The firefighting team in Alberta included 224 firefighters, 22 helicopters, and 57 pieces of heavy equipment.
Continued Support and Monitoring
The situation remains dynamic, with firefighting efforts and evacuations continually adapting to changing conditions. Authorities emphasize the importance of staying prepared and following evacuation orders as necessary.
