Amidst the rapid wildfire outbreak in Manitoba in May, which led to the displacement of 32,000 residents, it was revealed that the province was lacking numerous fire rangers, with 25% of wildfire division roles unfilled. According to records obtained under freedom of information laws, as of May 12, one in four full-time Wildfire Service positions was vacant, and an additional 64 seasonal fire ranger positions remained unfilled.
Key positions such as fire managers, fire operations managers, and a regional fire technician were among the 15 full-time vacancies. Operations managers play crucial roles in various aspects of the wildfire management program, encompassing prevention, detection, and fire suppression operations.
The documentation indicated that the vacancy for the operations manager overseeing the air attack program had persisted since April 2024. Similarly, positions responsible for equipment acquisitions and wildfire mitigation planning had been vacant since 2023.
The Wildfire Service consistently struggled to fill its allotted seasonal fire ranger positions annually, as disclosed by a government representative. This year’s wildfire season, the most severe in three decades, witnessed over 430 wildfires scorching more than 2.1 million hectares and prompting the evacuation of over 32,000 individuals from their communities.
President Kyle Ross of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union highlighted the challenges in recruiting fire rangers due to Manitoba’s comparatively lower pay rates than other provinces. The union emphasized that fire rangers are indispensable frontline responders tasked with preventing fire spread and safeguarding lives and properties.
Looking ahead, Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie expressed the government’s commitment to achieving a fully staffed wildfire service for the upcoming season. Despite facing resource constraints and early wildfire onset this year, Bushie commended the substantial response to the wildfires, asserting that the vacancies did not impede firefighting efforts significantly.
While acknowledging the improvements in unfilled fire ranger positions compared to previous years, a spokesperson for Bushie emphasized the collaborative nature of wildfire response efforts, involving municipal, volunteer, and interprovincial support.
In conclusion, the wildfire crisis in Manitoba underscored the critical need for adequate staffing and resources within the Wildfire Service to effectively combat and mitigate future fire outbreaks.