Canada Provides Update on 2026 Wildfire Season

On October 15, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada provided an update on the 2026 wildfire season, reporting that more than 5,400 wildfires had burned approximately 4.5 million hectares (11.1 million acres) across Canada.

After a slower-than-average start, wildfire activity intensified in several regions due to prolonged heat, drought, and low humidity. Northwestern Ontario and Southern British Columbia experienced sustained wildfire activity that threatened communities and critical infrastructure. The Northwest Territories accounted for more than one-third of the total area burned nationwide.

Since April, wildfires have forced more than 33,750 people from their homes, including more than 8,800 people from First Nations communities. Although conditions have improved significantly, several wildfires remain active across the country.

Ahead of the wildfire season, the federal government established Canada’s first national aerial firefighting surge capacity through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Supported by CA$316.7 million in federal funding over five years under Budget 2025, CIFFC leased 10 firefighting aircraft through contracts with Conair Group Inc., Coldstream Helicopters, and VIH Helicopters.

Canada also received assistance from 560 international firefighters from Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Australia over the summer. The government said it would continue strengthening emergency management capabilities and wildfire response capacity in cooperation with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, and international partners.