Canadian wildfire smoke reaches Europe as zombie fires fuel crisis

What’s the Latest on Canada’s Expanding Wildfire Crisis?

As of June 5, 2025, the Canadian wildfire emergency continues to intensify, with more than 200 active blazes burning across the country and over 33,000 residents now evacuated from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Provincial authorities confirmed that fires have forced mass displacement and are severely straining emergency response systems, while smoke from the infernos continues to impact air quality across North America—and now even parts of Europe.

The evacuation count represents one of the largest mass movements in Canadian wildfire history, particularly in Manitoba, which alone accounts for over 17,000 of the displaced. Officials in the province have declared a state of emergency as new ignition points threaten small towns and rural communities. Tragically, two deaths were confirmed in Lac du Bonnet, a community northeast of Winnipeg, following rapid fire spread in residential zones.

Which Regions Are Most Affected and Why?

The epicenters of fire activity remain in Western Canada, particularly in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. In Alberta, areas surrounding Fort McMurray and the oil sands corridor have seen fire conditions worsen due to dry vegetation and shifting wind patterns. In Manitoba, fires have engulfed northern and southeastern communities, with roads cut off and aerial evacuation underway in isolated towns.

Saskatchewan, meanwhile, is dealing with expanding fire lines near the northern boreal region, which has complicated containment efforts due to limited accessibility and resources. All three provinces are now operating under full-scale emergency coordination, deploying provincial and federal firefighting assets, including air tankers, military logistics teams, and civilian emergency shelters.

Officials at the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) elevated the national preparedness level to its highest tier, signaling full mobilization of resources and dependency on international support. U.S. firefighting teams have been deployed under a bilateral aid agreement, with reinforcements expected to rotate through wildfire-prone regions until at least late June.

What’s the Status of Alberta’s Oil Production?

The fires have disrupted key energy infrastructure in Alberta’s oil sands, although some facilities are cautiously restarting operations. Canadian Natural Resources confirmed on June 4 that it had resumed operations at its Jackfish 1 site, after determining that fire threats in the vicinity had sufficiently subsided. The facility, which had been shut for several days, is expected to ramp back up to approximately 36,500 barrels per day by Friday.

However, other major producers continue to face constraints. MEG Energy has not resumed full operations at its Christina Lake site, as fire-related power outages and access concerns persist. Cenovus Energy, another major player in the region, is maintaining scaled-back operations and monitoring surrounding fire conditions, especially in high-risk zones near Athabasca and Conklin.

The production disruptions, initially estimated at over 344,000 barrels per day, represent around 7 percent of Canada’s national crude output. Analysts suggest that even with partial restarts, continued fire threats may delay full recovery, especially if new fires ignite near transmission lines or transportation corridors.

How Bad Is the Smoke and Where Is It Spreading?

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has generated air quality emergencies across both Canada and the United States, with major urban centers including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Minneapolis, and Chicago experiencing hazardous air conditions over the past 48 hours. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency maintained its maroon-level air alert, the most severe designation under its index, on June 4.

The smoke plume has reached new extremes. Satellite imagery confirmed that atmospheric haze from the wildfires has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in visibly hazy skies over parts of Western Europe. Scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center attribute this to persistent upper-level winds and the massive volume of particulate emissions produced by the blazes.

Air quality advisories remain in effect across much of the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Public health officials have advised residents to stay indoors, use HEPA-grade air purifiers, and avoid outdoor exertion. Hospitals in several U.S. cities have reported an uptick in emergency visits related to respiratory issues and asthma exacerbations.

What Are ‘Zombie Fires’ and Why Are They a Growing Threat?

A new and worrying trend in Canada’s 2025 wildfire season is the rise of so-called “zombie fires”—smouldering peat or underground fires that survived the winter beneath the snowpack and reignited as the weather warmed. These fires are particularly difficult to detect and extinguish because they burn below the surface, often reigniting in new locations and fueling above-ground wildfires.

According to researchers cited by the Financial Times, zombie fires are a growing phenomenon in northern boreal forests and represent a significant challenge for fire management. Once considered rare, these persistent fires are becoming more common as global temperatures rise and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles become disrupted. Fire crews have begun using specialized thermal imaging and infrared drone systems to detect hidden underground hotspots.

Experts warn that zombie fires could significantly extend the wildfire season, with reignitions possible even in regions considered “controlled.” These underground burns also release large volumes of carbon dioxide and methane, worsening climate feedback loops.

What Are Authorities Doing to Manage the Ongoing Emergency?

Canadian federal and provincial governments have moved into full crisis management mode. In Manitoba, the provincial emergency operations center is overseeing the largest coordinated evacuation in its recent history. Over 15 emergency reception centers have been opened to house displaced residents, with food, medical aid, and logistical assistance provided by both government agencies and NGOs.

The Canadian Armed Forces are on standby for potential deployment to assist with evacuations and logistics, particularly in remote or fly-in communities. Health Canada is coordinating with provincial ministries to monitor public health outcomes, especially in relation to smoke exposure, and has issued air quality advisories with recommendations for vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, the CIFFC has formalized its request for continued international assistance. Firefighting contingents from the United States have already arrived and been deployed to high-risk zones in Alberta and Manitoba. Additional support from Australia and New Zealand is reportedly under discussion, as Canada braces for what could be its longest and most dangerous fire season on record.

What’s the Outlook for the Rest of the 2025 Fire Season?

Forecasts from Environment Canada indicate little immediate relief. Dry, windy conditions are expected to persist through mid-June, with limited precipitation in the western provinces. Fire danger ratings remain “extreme” across Alberta, central Manitoba, and northeastern British Columbia.

Officials warn that unless rainfall occurs soon, existing fires will continue to expand, and new ignition points could be sparked by lightning or human activity. Fire bans are being expanded, and surveillance patrols increased to enforce outdoor burning restrictions.

The 2025 fire season, which has already consumed over 1.4 million hectares of land, may soon eclipse past records if containment efforts fall short. With critical infrastructure, human lives, and the environment under increasing threat, Canada’s wildfire response is being tested at a national scale—and the full impact may not be known for weeks.