Today, The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, joined by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, delivered an update on Canada's wildfire preparedness and the forecast for the 2026 wildfire season.
Minister Olszewski reported that, as of today, there are 65 active wildfires in Canada with six wildfires currently out of control. The total area burned so far this year is over 18,935 hectares.
Long-standing precipitation deficits persist in Western Canada. Looking ahead, forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures for nearly all Canadian regions for June, July and August. Several regions of Canada have received significant amounts of precipitation over the past six months, which could delay potential wildfire conditions.
Modelling of wildfire risk by Natural Resources Canada shows fire danger building across Canada through July, with British Columbia facing the highest and most sustained fire risk. Over the same period, elevated fire danger could also emerge quickly in parts of northern, central and eastern Canada. Canadians are encouraged to stay informed about the risk in their region through the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
First Nations communities continue to be disproportionately affected by emergency events, including wildfires, underscoring the need to provide them with the tools to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. For example, in 2025 alone, 44,920 people from 61 on-reserve First Nations were displaced from their homes due to wildfire.
The federal government will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and partners to support prevention, preparedness and response efforts. Canadians are encouraged to be prepared and can learn how to protect themselves by visiting Get Prepared.
