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Where Are the 2025 Canadian Wildfires Located?

In May 2025, wildfires are raging across western and central Canada, primarily in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Major fires include the Bird River fire and Border fire in northern Manitoba, and the Creighton fire near Flin Flon, spanning Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

These fires are fueled by unusually hot and dry conditions.

The 2025 wildfires were sparked by a combination of extreme heat (up to 24.3°F above average in Manitoba), dry conditions, and strong winds, creating ideal fire conditions.

As of May 31, 2025, 174 active wildfires are burning across Canada, with 94 considered out of control.

In Manitoba alone, fires have scorched 200,000 hectares (494,210 acres), three times the province’s recent full-year average. Across Canada, approximately 1.58 million acres have burned this year, 40% above the 10-year average.

What Is Being Done to Contain the Fires?

Canada is mobilizing significant resources to combat the wildfires:

• Evacuations: Over 17,000 people, including the entire town of Flin Flon, Manitoba (5,000 residents), have been evacuated.
• Canadian Armed Forces: Aircraft are evacuating residents from areas like Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb First Nation.
• Firefighting Efforts: In Saskatchewan, 17 active fires are being tackled, with three contained and others under assessment. Tactics include water sprinklers to steer fires away from high-risk areas.
• Federal Support: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged full support to Manitoba’s wildfire teams.

Wildfires in Canada Over the Past 5 Years

From 2020 to 2024, Canada faced severe wildfire seasons:

• 2023: The worst season on record, with over 6,000 fires burning 37 million acres, an area larger than England.
• 2020–2024 Total: Approximately 15,000 wildfires burned an estimated 60 million acres across Canada, driven by climate change, drought, and heatwaves.

To reduce wildfire risks, experts recommend:

• Forest Management: Controlled burns and thinning dense forests to reduce fuel loads.
• Climate Action: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate heat and drought conditions.
• Community Preparedness: Creating firebreaks and improving early warning systems.
• Public Education: Encouraging residents to clear flammable materials around homes.

The Canadian wildfire season typically runs from May to September. Without significant rainfall (a 2–3 day soaking event), fires are expected to persist into the summer, especially in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, where fire activity is predicted to remain “well above average.”

Impact on the Midwest United States

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires is drifting into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, causing hazy skies and poor air quality.

The smoke, carried by winds from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, affects states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and parts of North Dakota. Air quality alerts are in effect, with some areas reaching “red” (unhealthy, AQI 151–200) or “purple” (very unhealthy, AQI 201–300) levels on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

What Is Air Quality, and Why Does It Matter?

Air quality measures the cleanliness of the air we breathe, focusing on pollutants like PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) from wildfire smoke. PM2.5 particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing health issues like respiratory irritation, heart problems, and worsened asthma.

The AQI, developed by the EPA, rates air quality from 0 (good) to 500 (hazardous).

Midwest States: Air Quality Ratings and References

Below is a list of Midwest states with their average AQI as of May 30, 2025, and could continue throughout the entire summer, based on wildfire smoke impacts (air quality can change daily depending on wildfire smoke and rainfall amount):

• Illinois: AQI ~120 (Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups). Reference: Illinois EPA Air Quality
• Indiana: AQI ~100 (Moderate). Reference: Indiana DEM Air Quality
• Iowa: AQI ~90 (Moderate). Reference: Iowa DNR Air Quality
• Kansas: AQI ~80 (Moderate). Reference: Kansas DHE Air Quality
• Michigan: AQI ~150 (Unhealthy). Reference: Michigan EGLE Air Quality
• Minnesota: AQI ~170 (Unhealthy). Reference: Minnesota PCA Air Quality
• Missouri: AQI ~85 (Moderate). Reference: Missouri DNR Air Quality
• Nebraska: AQI ~90 (Moderate). Reference: Nebraska DEE Air Quality
• North Dakota: AQI ~200 (Very Unhealthy). Reference: North Dakota DEQ Air Quality
• Ohio: AQI ~100 (Moderate). Reference: Ohio EPA Air Quality
• South Dakota: AQI ~130 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups). Reference: South Dakota DENR Air Quality
• Wisconsin: AQI ~160 (Unhealthy). Reference: Wisconsin DNR Air Quality

Worst Air Quality: North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are experiencing the worst air quality, with AQI levels reaching “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” due to dense smoke from Manitoba. Best Air Quality: Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska have the best air quality, with moderate AQI levels less impacted by smoke.

Duration of Air Quality Issues

Air quality issues may impact some states longer throughout the summer depending on winds, smoke and rainfall.

Lingering smoke could persist in cities longer, like Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee if fires remain uncontained.

How Wildfire Smoke Affects Sunny Days

Wildfire smoke transforms sunny days into hazy, orange-tinted skies, reducing visibility and creating striking red or orange sunrises and sunsets.

The smoke scatters sunlight, giving the sky a milky or smoky appearance, as seen in the Midwest on May and could continue throughout the entire summer. This can limit outdoor activities and make days feel overcast.

How Particles Enter the Body and Health Effects

PM2.5 particles from wildfire smoke are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Short-term exposure can cause:

• Burning eyes, runny nose, and scratchy throat.
• Worsened asthma or respiratory conditions.
• Increased risk of heart and lung issues.

Long-term exposure (up to three months post-exposure) may lead to:

• Higher stroke risk.
• Impaired brain function.
• Reduced fertility treatment success.

Sensitive groups, including those with heart disease or asthma, should avoid outdoor activities and keep windows closed.

Canada’s Current Prevention and Containment Efforts

In addition to containment efforts, Canada is taking proactive steps:

• Emergency Declarations: Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to mobilize resources.
• Fire Forecasting: FireSmoke Canada and other agencies are tracking smoke spread to warn residents.
• Research and Monitoring: Increased focus on studying wildfire smoke’s health impacts to inform public safety measures.

Immediate Actions:

• Deploying more firefighting crews and aerial resources.
• Expanding evacuation shelters, with Winnipeg opening four facilities for evacuees.
• Public advisories to wear N95 masks and use air purifiers indoors.

Additional Important Information

• Climate Impact: The 2025 fires follow Canada’s second-worst fire season in 2023, highlighting how climate-driven heat and drought are increasing fire frequency and severity.
• Cross-Border Effects: Smoke is expected to reach as far as the Carolinas and Washington, D.C., by May 31, though less severe than in the Midwest.
• Health Recommendations: The American Lung Association advises using air purifiers with high MERV ratings and wearing N95 or P100 masks outdoors to reduce PM2.5 exposure.

For more details on Canada’s wildfire situation, visit Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. For Midwest air quality updates, check AirNow.gov.

Comment below on your thoughts about the wildfires and air quality concerns.

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