Within minutes of crossing the Ontario border into Manitoba for the first time, I was welcomed by the smell of smoke and low-flying planes soaring overhead.

I quickly realized it was wildfire season.

I haven’t officially started my summer internship with the Winnipeg Free Press, but I was already able to get some work into the paper.

More than 100 fires have already occurred in the province since the start of 2021, which has brought the need for assistance from firefighting crews from neighbouring provinces.

Photos for the Winnipeg Free Press.