Winnipeg just endured its smokiest month on record
Prolific wildfires burned throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan through the month of July
July ended as Winnipeg’s smokiest month on record.
Extensive wildfires burning throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan have vented a tremendous amount of smoke into the atmosphere, degrading air quality for much of eastern Canada and the U.S. at times this summer.
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We’ve seen more than 6.6 million hectares of land burned by wildfires across Canada so far this year, making it one of the worst years on record in terms of area consumed by flames.
Manitoba accounts for more than 1.5 million hectares—far surpassing the average area burned in the province every year, which sits below 400,000 hectares.
Blazes in both Manitoba and neighbouring Saskatchewan have pumped intense amounts of smoke into the atmosphere. As a result, Winnipeg just endured its smokiest month on record.
The city saw 189 hours of smoke during the month of July 2025, breaking the previous record of 163 hours of smoke set in August 1961, during which wildfires consumed 1.1 million hectares of land.
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Is there any improvement on the horizon as we head into August?
Folks across Winnipeg will see some smoke improvement heading into the middle of the week. A warm front moving into the region will bring fresher air on southerly winds Wednesday into Thursday.
However, a cold front draped over the province will bring the risk for additional thunderstorm activity, which could potentially spark new blazes throughout the region.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest on conditions across Manitoba.