As smoke from wildfires blankets much of Manitoba, many outdoor events have been called off. The air quality is under serious scrutiny, especially in cities like Winnipeg and Brandon. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued warnings over the weekend, suggesting that everyone should limit outdoor activities.
Wildfire smoke can harm anyone’s health, but it’s particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups. Pregnant individuals, young children, and those with existing health issues should take extra precautions.
Some events, like the Winnipeg Folk Festival at Birds Hill Provincial Park, are continuing as planned. However, other organizers have chosen to cancel. For instance, Rainbow Stage had to cancel its Saturday matinee performance of Rock of Ages, stating that outdoor conditions were unsafe. They’re hopeful the evening show will still take place.
As of Saturday afternoon, Winnipeg’s air quality index was at an alarming “very high risk” level. Although forecasts suggested improvement later in the evening, air quality could again worsen by Sunday.
Football Manitoba announced the cancellation of a provincial tournament due to the air quality. Their safety guidelines recommend suspending outdoor activities when the air quality index exceeds “high risk” levels. Unfortunately, indoor facilities are unavailable as they are currently sheltering evacuees displaced by wildfires.
Baseball Manitoba faced a similar situation, initially optimistic about their events. However, they too ultimately decided to cancel due to health concerns about the air quality.
Manitoba is grappling with a severe wildfire season, marked by a second state of emergency. As of the latest reports, there are 107 active wildfires in the province, with a total of 270 incidents this year—well above the average of 201 for this time of year.
Experts warn that severe weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. A recent study suggests that with rising temperatures, the conditions for wildfires will likely worsen, affecting air quality and public health.
In light of these challenges, residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, especially when air quality is poor. If you are an evacuee in need of assistance, you can reach out to Manitoba 211 by calling 211 or via email.
For updated information on wildfires and air quality, you can visit Environment Canada or Manitoba Wildfire Service.
