Manitoba still at risk for more wildfires; warmer summer could make situation worse

A new survey is highlighting how Canadians have been dealing with extreme weather. CTV’s Jon Hendricks reports.

Manitoba continues to be at a moderate to high fire danger according to officials, as 21 wildfires continue to burn in the province.

Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, provided an update Thursday on the current situation.

She said seven fires are considered out of control and more than 902,000 hectares of land has burned throughout Manitoba.

Due to the continued risk, Hayward said recent and forecast thunderstorms could lead to more fires starting via lightning strikes.

Two fires are seeing improvement, Hayward said. The fire burning near Wanless is now considered under control and the fire near Grand Rapids is being held.

As we get into summer and warmer temperatures, Hayward was asked what the wildfire forecast looks like for the rest of the season.

While she said she doesn’t have a crystal ball, she noted there is a possibility that things could get worse.

“What the long-term forecasts are showing us is prolonged periods of warmer than average temperatures, possibly lower than normal precipitation. We’re coming into a season where we see a lot of thunderstorms and a lot of lightning passing through. Things could get worse from here. I won’t sugarcoat it, but hopefully they don’t,” said Hayward.

She added there isn’t any particular area in the province that is at a greater risk of fires.