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2026 Canadian wildfires

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2026 Canadian wildfires
Fire danger warnings across Canada as of May 29
Date(s)January 2026 – present
LocationAlberta
British Columbia
Yukon
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
New Brunswick
Quebec
Ontario
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Statistics
Total fires1,816[1]
Burned area145,500 ha (360,000 acres) (as of June 16, 2026)[1]
Impacts
Deaths4
Evacuated1,083+[2][3][4][5]
Structures destroyed12+
Map
Map
Perimeters of 2026 Canadian wildfires (map data)
Season
← 2025

The 2026 Canadian wildfire season began slowly but at high risk, with over 108 active wildfires across the country in mid-May, primarily in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.[1][6] A firefighter died while battling a wildfire in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7] A pilot and three firefighters were killed in a plane crash during firefighting operations near Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories.[8] More than 1,083 residents of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, West Kelowna and Mattagami First Nation were forced to evacuate as uncontained wildfires threatened several homes.[4][5][3][2] Wildfires were reported in at least eight provinces and two territories.[9]

The start to the season was well below average, though government officials warn that as the summer progresses there's a risk things could get much worse and it could be significant. While the wildfire risk is unlikely to result in a record-breaking year like 2023 or 2025, the federal government is forecasting above average conditions as the season progresses, with British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories facing the highest wildfire risk.[10][11]

Wildfires

[edit]
2026 Canadian wildfires by month[12]
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Number of Fires 0 0 0 382 1,097 1,479
Area burned (Ha) 0 0 0 2,088 76,043 78,131

Alberta

[edit]

Since January 1, three wildfires burned a total of 0.13 ha (0.32 acres) in the Edson Forest Area.[13]

On May 26, the Grand Prairie Forest Area wildfire danger level remained high. Alberta Wildfire said current dry conditions make it very easy to spark and spread quickly, so residents are asked to be cautious. 29 wildfires ignited in the GPFA since the start of the year, burning 7 ha (17 acres).[14]

On May 28, Alberta Wildfire issued a fire advisory for the Fort McMurray Forest Area amid warm temperatures and increasingly dry vegetation across northeastern Alberta. No active wildfires were burning in the area at the time.[15]

At 17:42 on May 28, a critical Alberta Emergency Alert was sent out telling residents in Thunder Lake to evacuate immediately after structural fires south of the Provincial Park boat launch.[16] The following day at 11:03, the wildfire alert was cancelled and the area was safe for re-entry.[17] The county manager said 13 properties were impacted and six buildings were destroyed.[18]

On May 29, Alberta Wildfires said there was two out of control wildfires burning roughly 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Wembley, roughly 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) apart from each other. One fire burned about 1.5 ha (3.7 acres), while the other burned 0.01 ha (0.025 acres).[19]

Also on May 29, the Government of Canada said the fire danger level for Wood Buffalo National Park was high, with three out of control fires reported.[20]

On May 30, an evacuation alert was issued for Conklin due to concerns of a wildfire named LWF-059 spreading to the area. The alert was lifted a day after as the fire isn't expected to go outside of its current boundaries.[21]

Seven active wildfires were reported in the Athabasca oil sands on May 31 as wildfire season returned to the oil sands region.[22]

Nova Scotia

[edit]

On May 16, the season was announced to have started.[23]

On May 21, a 40-year-old firefighter died after a sudden medical emergency while battling the Moschelle Fire near Moschelle in Annapolis County. The fire continued to burn approximately 1.19 ha (2.9 acres) before being brought under control during the evening on the same day.[7]

A photo of smoke rising from the Long Lake Fire in 2025

On May 26, the Long Lake Fire was extinguished after burning 8,500 ha (21,000 acres) across Annapolis Valley since last year, destroying 20 homes and forcing hundreds of evacuations.[24]

Saskatchewan

[edit]

Wildfire season started in Saskatchewan after a long season of big snowfalls and flooding killed grass, making it really flammable.[25]

On May 25, a fire named the Lobstick Fire began, starting the Prince Albert wildfire season.[26] On May 29, the rapidly growing fire crossed the North Saskatchewan River, approaching homes. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued a fire ban that covers a large portion of the province.[27] Currently, six homes are threatened, with some families being evacuated and others on standby.[28] Video showed ash raining down from flammagenitus clouds in Prince Albert ahead of evacuation orders in the region.[29] Some ranchers moved their cattle.[30] The fire is estimated to have burned 19,000 ha (47,000 acres) and could cost $20-25 million dollars in timber losses.[31][32] On May 30, an evacuation alert was issued for Shellbrook as the fire was fast-moving.[33] By May 31, the fire was reportedly calmer but still raging.[34] The SPSA identified lightning as the cause of the fire.[35]

Ontario

[edit]

Wildfire activity in Northwestern Ontario remained significantly lower than last year, despite 62 fires being reported in the province so far, with 280.6 ha (693 acres) burned.[36]

On May 15, a 168 ha (420 acres) out of control fire named Dryden 11 ignited near Sandbar Lake Provincial Park, prompting the closure of Ontario Highway 599 north of Ignace and causing evacuations.[36][37] Another fire named Fort Frances 4 caused evacuations in Mine Centre before being extinguished after burning 12.6 ha (31 acres). That fire and two other fires destroyed property and killed two pets in Rainy River District.[36][38]

On May 27, a 3 ha (7.4 acres) fire ignited in Haliburton County. As of May 29, the fire remained out of control.[39]

On May 31, a fire called Timmins 9 was reported. The fire grew to around 3,300 ha (8,200 acres) and caused more than 160 residents of Mattagami First Nation to evacuate before being brought under control on June 15.[2]

Northwest Territories

[edit]

The Northwest Territories is the second highest-risk area.[10]

On May 18, the government said it was fighting three fires, including two that were human-caused. One of the fires was an out of control holdover fire.[40]

On May 22, lightning caused four wildfires in Wood Buffalo National Park, with two being out of control.[41] The largest fire burned 35,288 ha (87,200 acres) and is still out of control.[42]

On June 14, lightning caused two wildfires southwest of Norman Wells. Both fires were out of control, with one burning 90 ha (220 acres) and the other burning 300 ha (740 acres).[43]

On June 24, a Buffalo Airways Rockwell Aero Commander 690 with a pilot and two firefighters on board crashed during firefighting operations 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Fort Simpson. All three occupants were confirmed dead on scene.[8]

Manitoba

[edit]

Seven fires burned between The Pas and Cranberry Portage, an area that wildfires scorched last year.[44] One fire located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Easterville burned approximately 400 ha (990 acres).[45]

British Columbia

[edit]

Officials are warning that British Columbia will face the highest and most sustained risk of the season as fire danger across the country is expected to build through July. Significant wildfire activity is expected in B.C. this season.[46] Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of B.C. Wildfire Service's predictive services unit, said current drought conditions forebode a challenging season.[47]

On June 16, tactical evacuations were carried out after a fast moving and out of control fire in West Kelowna named Kalamoir Park Fire burned 8 hectares (20 acres) and came close to homes.[48] About 800 people living in 357 properties were forced to evacuate.[3] A pergola was lost, but no major structures, and the evacuation order was lifted. The fire is suspected to be human-caused.[49]

Responses

[edit]

Experts called for a federal emergency management agency to oversee firefighting resources after a report found that some jurisdictions don't have enough firefighters or aircraft to effectively fight fires.[50] On June 16, three young women and two environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government seeking to force it to develop an action plan to meet its key climate goals.[51] The federal government pledged $47.8 million dollars over five years to improve wildfire preparedness.[52] The government leased ten new firefighting planes and helicopters to boost firefighting capacity.[53] The Saskatchewan provincial government said their stronger prepared than last year, when more than 500 fires burned more than 3,000,000 ha (7,400,000 acres) across the province.[54] Some utility companies in Alberta, including AltaLink, are testing AI-powered cameras to detect wildfires north of Kananaskis Village and just west of Canmore.[55] The Northwest Territories launched a new program to improve wildfire protection.[56] The government of the Northwest Territories carried out infrared scanning missions on large fire perimeters to seek and destroy hot spots.[57] The Nova Scotia government contracted four fixed-wing water bombers, four helicopters a co-ordination plane for firefighting.[58] A crew in Manitoba planted trees in areas burned by fires.[59]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Active Fires Map". Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c Rutherford, Kate (June 15, 2026). "Dozens from Mattagami First Nation return home now that nearby forest fire is under control". CBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Wildfire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes in West Kelowna, BC". Canada's National Observer. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Wildfire that forced northern Saskatchewan residents out calmer, but still raging". Castanet. May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  5. ^ a b "'We had to get out': Wildfire closes in on Shellbrook area communities". CTV News. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  6. ^ "The Government of Canada provides update on the 2026 wildfire season preparedness and forecast". Government of Canada. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Firefighter dies while battling wildfire in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia". The Watchers. May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "3 dead in plane crash near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., fire officials confirm". CBC News. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  9. ^ "Active Wildfires in Canada". Esri. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Wildfire forecast anticipates high risk for new wildfires in B.C., Prairies, N.W.T." CityNews. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  11. ^ "Wildfire activity low so far — but a hot and dry summer could change that, officials warn". CBC News. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  12. ^ "Situation Reports". Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc. (CIFFC).
  13. ^ "Edson Forest Area - February 11, 2026". Alberta. February 11, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  14. ^ "Grande Prairie wildfire danger remains high". Everything Grand Prairie. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  15. ^ "Fire advisory issued for Fort McMurray Forest Area amid dry conditions". CFVR-FM. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  16. ^ "This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. County of Barrhead has UPDATED a wildfire alert". Alberta. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  17. ^ "This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. County of Barrhead has CANCELLED a wildfire alert". Alberta. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  18. ^ "Wildfire extinguished, evacuation order lifted for area northwest of Edmonton". CBC News. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  19. ^ "Two out of control wildfires south of Wembley have drawn a full response". My Grand Prairie Now. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  20. ^ "Wood Buffalo National Park wildfire updates". Government of Canada. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  21. ^ "Conklin residents no longer on evacuation alert after wildfire conditions improve". CFVR-FM. May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  22. ^ "Wildfire season returns to Canada's oil sands". Reuters. May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  23. ^ "Wildfire season begins in Nova Scotia". CTV News. May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  24. ^ "Fire that burned 8,500 hectares in N.S. in 2025 now officially extinguished". CBC News. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  25. ^ "After major snow and flooding in Saskatchewan, wildfires are on the map". Global News. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  26. ^ "Wildfire burning between MacDowall and Duck Lake". paNOW. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  27. ^ "SPSA issues sweeping fire ban as Lobstick wildfire crosses North Sask. River". paNOW. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  28. ^ "Two uncontrolled wildfires burn in Saskatchewan amid high fire risk". CTV News. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  29. ^ "Video shows ash rain falling as Sask. wildfire forces evacuations". MSN via The Weather Network. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  30. ^ "Fire bans implemented as Saskatchewan hit with hot, windy weather". The Western Producer. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  31. ^ "Rural municipality in Saskatchewan orders evacuation due to spreading wildfire". The Brandon Sun. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  32. ^ "Nisbet wildfire could cost $25M in timber losses". CJME. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  33. ^ "Fast-moving wildfire prompts evacuation order near Shellbrook, Sask". Global News. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  34. ^ "Wildfire that forced northern Saskatchewan residents out calmer, but still raging". Toronto Star. May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  35. ^ "Air quality advisory issued in north as Lobstick fire not contained". SaskToday. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  36. ^ a b c "Northwest wildfire activity down nearly 65%". Northwest Ontario News. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  37. ^ "Forest fire shuts down Hwy 599". Northwest Ontario News. May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  38. ^ "'It happened so fast,' says woman whose home was destroyed by wildfire". Northwest Ontario News. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  39. ^ "Minden Wildfire out of control". CKAR-FM. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  40. ^ "N.W.T. battles 3 wildfires as season gets underway". CBC News. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  41. ^ "Wildfires threaten parts of Wood Buffalo National Park". Cabin Radio. May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  42. ^ "No new fires found following 'aggressive detection efforts,' NWT Fire says". Cabin Radio. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  43. ^ "New wildfires southwest of Norman Wells after weekend lightning". Cabin Radio. June 14, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  44. ^ "People 'on edge' in northwestern Manitoba as heat, fires return to area scorched last year". CBC News. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  45. ^ "Fire Bulletin #2". Government of Manitoba. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  46. ^ "B.C. will face the 'highest and most sustained' 2026 wildfire risk". Global News. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  47. ^ "B.C. residents urged to 'remain vigilant' amid high wildfire risk this summer". CBC News. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  48. ^ "Fast-moving wildfire prompts evacuations in West Kelowna, B.C." The Globe and Mail. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  49. ^ Judd, Amy (June 16, 2026). "No homes lost in Kalamoir Park wildfire in West Kelowna as order lifted". Global News. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  50. ^ Dickson, Courtney (June 16, 2026). "Senate report, wildfire researcher push for federal emergency management agency". CBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  51. ^ "Canada government sued over climate inaction". France 24. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  52. ^ "Canada pledges $47.8M to wildfire preparedness". CBC News. May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  53. ^ "Canada boosts aerial firefighting fleet with 10 new aircraft as wildfire season begins". CityNews. May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  54. ^ "Sask. heads into wildfire season 'more prepared than ever,' public safety agency says". CBC News. April 8, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  55. ^ "AI cameras being piloted to detect wildfires in Kananaskis". CBC News. June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  56. ^ "Northwest Territories launches new program to improve wildfire protection". APTN National News. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  57. ^ "Northwest Territories identifies 'wildfire hotspots' to 'seek and destroy'". Canadian Underwriter. April 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  58. ^ "Nova Scotia has contracted four water bombers to help with wildfire season". Global News. May 13, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  59. ^ Pauls, Karen (May 30, 2026). "Wildfires are destroying trees faster than we are replacing them". CBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
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