Photo credit: Manitoba Conservation Officer Service.
This spring, the Mantario Wilderness Zone experienced a significant wildfire. Initially springing up near Ingolf, Ontario on May 12, the wildfire quickly expanded to cover a large area of boreal forest.
Mantario Lake, home to the island where the Mantario Cabin stands, borders both Manitoba and Ontario and was at risk.
Manitoba Wildfire Department and local Conservation Officers took all necessary steps to fight the fire and protect the cabin, including installing and monitoring a sprinkler system on the cabin and outbuildings. Their efforts, some rain and spring greenup and natural fire breaks allowed the fire to be held by June 11, and under control by June 23, at its maximum size of 5,410 hectares in Manitoba. The fire also burned over 36,000 hectares in Ontario. We are extremely grateful for the difficult and dangerous efforts of the skilled personnel in the fire zone.
Two essential portages to Mantario Lake, from Two Lake to Three Lake to Mantario have burned, as well as the Circle Hike and major sections of the Mantario Trail. Due to the risks of standing dead trees in the fire zone, we are still awaiting permission from Manitoba Parks to access the area. There are no permits or any public access to date. Visit Parks website for updates.
Human-caused climate change is leading to increased frequency and intensity of forest fires in Canada and globally. While we can all make efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the increasing impacts of wildfire on our lives are a new reality that we must find ways to prepare for and adapt to.
We know the area will look different when we visit again. Our botanist and mycologist volunteers, Charles Burchill and Donna Kurt, both have shared how fire is an essential part of the natural cycle of forests and the recovery of these special ecosystems after fire is an amazing opportunity to see and experience. There are many exciting botanical and fungal discoveries awaiting us when we can visit.
We appreciate the patience of Summer Program participants who were looking forward to a summer at Mantario. We are keeping program registration on pause, offering full refunds to those who wish to cancel, and making the call on individual trips as more information becomes available.
For more info, reach out to mantario@naturemanitoba.ca.
Written by Katrina Froese, Mantario Committee Chair