1989 Manitoba wildfires

From May to September 1989, Canada experienced one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history.[1][2][3] The fires were primarily concentrated in the northern part of Manitoba; parts of neighbouring provinces Saskatchewan and Ontario were also affected.[4] Public Safety Canada reported that Manitoba experienced 1,229 wildfires.[1] The wildfires set a record for area burned in Canada; the record was surpassed by the 2023 fire season.[5][6] The fires were the largest and most expensive in Manitoba's history.[7]

The fires were caused by natural and human causes; Manitoba was already experiencing drought.[7][8] Conditions worsened in July due to a "combination of dry weather, temperatures in the 90-degree [32 °C] range and lightning".[4] A July report indicated that about 20 communities were affected, most of them being First Nations reserves.[4][9] Overall, about 25,000 people from approximately 25 communities were evacuated, with many being flown to Winnipeg.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Canadian Disaster Database". Public Safety Canada. September 12, 2013.
  2. ^ Hirsch, Kelvin G. (1991). "A chronological overview of the 1989 fire season in Manitoba". The Forestry Chronicle. 67 (4): 358–365. doi:10.5558/tfc67358-4. ISSN 0015-7546.
  3. ^ "Fire Disasters in Canada". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Canada Forest Fires Blacken 2 Million Acres". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. July 26, 1989. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  5. ^ Popovich, Nadja (July 18, 2023). "How Canada's Record Wildfires Got So Bad, So Fast". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  6. ^ Lowrie, Morgan (June 26, 2023). "It's still June, but this is already the worst year ever for Canadian wildfires". Canada's National Observer. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Zurowski, Monica (April 15, 2024). "'How could a whole town burn?' — The most tragic wildfires to scorch the Prairies". Calgary Herald.
  8. ^ Kives, Bartley (June 10, 2019). "Earlier, later and less predictable: How the forest fire season is changing — and why". CBC News.
  9. ^ "More evacuations in Manitoba's largest fire". UPI Archives. July 25, 1989. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
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