The drifting smoke has become all too familiar for Manitobans this spring, but while many residents have the option to seek shelter indoors, wildlife across the province faces a different reality amid the worsening wildfire season.
As flames tear through over 100,000 hectares of Manitoba’s forests and grasslands, biologists and conservation experts are raising alarms about the immediate and long-term consequences for the province’s diverse animal populations.
“We’re seeing unprecedented pressure on wildlife this season,” explains Jennifer Kowalchuk, senior wildlife biologist with Manitoba Conservation. “These fires aren’t just destroying trees – they’re eliminating entire ecosystems that took decades to develop.”
The fires have been particularly devastating in the eastern regions near Nopiming Provincial Park and areas surrounding Lake Winnipeg, where critical habitats for moose, woodland caribou, and migratory birds have been severely compromised. Recent data from Manitoba Conservation shows at least 45 active wildfires burning across the province as of last week.
Wildlife rehabilitation centers report receiving injured animals at twice the normal rate. The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Winnipeg has taken in over 30 animals with burns and smoke inhalation since early May – primarily small mammals and birds unable to escape advancing flames.
“We’re seeing young animals separated from parents, birds with singed feathers, and smaller creatures with respiratory distress,” says Marc Bernstein, a veterinarian with the centre. “Many arrive severely dehydrated after fleeing long distances to escape the fires.”
While larger mammals like deer and moose can sometimes outrun fire fronts, smaller creatures and those with limited mobility face dire circumstances. Conservation officers have reported discovering fox dens abandoned with pups still inside and turtle nests completely destroyed by fast-moving fires.
The timing couldn’t be worse for many species. Late spring represents a critical reproductive period, with many birds nesting and mammals caring for newly born offspring. At least three known bald eagle nesting sites have been destroyed in the Whiteshell area, according to provincial wildlife surveys completed last week.
The impacts extend beyond the immediate fire zones. Wildlife biologist Karen MacAulay from the University of Manitoba explains that displaced animals often crowd into unburned patches, creating unsustainable population densities.
“We’re seeing what we call ‘ecological refugees’ – animals forced into habitats that can’t support them,” MacAulay says. “This leads to increased competition for food and shelter, higher predation rates, and often, eventual starvation.”
Water ecosystems haven’t escaped the fallout either. Increased ash and sediment runoff into lakes and streams has already been documented in waterways near burned areas, according to Manitoba’s Water Stewardship Division. This can alter water chemistry, harm fish populations, and contaminate habitats for species like beavers and otters.
Indigenous communities, who rely on hunting and trapping as both cultural practices and food sources, are feeling the effects acutely. Norman Kirkness, an elder from Misipawistik Cree Nation, shared how traditional hunting grounds north of Grand Rapids have been transformed.
“The animals know where to go when there’s danger, but now there’s danger everywhere,” Kirkness explains. “The medicines we gather, the berries we pick, the places we hunt – all changed. It will take many seasons to heal.”
Climate scientists point to the growing intensity of Manitoba’s fire seasons as consistent with climate change predictions. Provincial data shows a 30% increase in average annual burned area over the past decade compared to historical averages.
“What we’re witnessing is unfortunately the new normal,” says Dr. Alisha Thompson, climate researcher at Brandon University. “More frequent drought conditions, earlier spring thaws, and hotter summers create perfect conditions for these megafires that overwhelm both human firefighting efforts and wildlife adaptation mechanisms.”
Conservation strategies are evolving in response. Manitoba Conservation has initiated an emergency wildlife monitoring program to track population movements and identify critical refuge areas that might require enhanced protection.
“We’re using everything from aerial surveys to trail cameras to understand how animals are responding,” explains Kowalchuk. “This data will help us develop recovery plans for the most affected species once the fires subside.”
For some creatures, fires are actually a natural part of ecosystem renewal. Jack pine forests, for instance, require periodic burning for successful seed release and regeneration. However, the current intensity and frequency of fires exceeds what most ecosystems evolved to handle.
Wildlife officials offer several recommendations for Manitobans who encounter displaced wildlife. Creating small water sources in backyard spaces away from homes can provide relief for smaller creatures. Reporting injured wildlife to conservation authorities rather than attempting rescue is strongly advised.
“These animals are already stressed – well-intentioned human intervention can sometimes cause more harm,” cautions Bernstein.
As Manitoba braces for what could be months more of fire season, the full impact on wildlife populations remains uncertain. What is clear is that recovery will require years, not months, and some habitats may be permanently altered.
“Wildlife has remarkable resilience,” MacAulay notes. “But every ecosystem has breaking points. Our responsibility now is to preserve enough habitat cores to allow for natural recovery once the flames finally subside.”
