Canada's 2026 Wildfire Season Saw Over 5,400 Fires Burn 4.5 Million Hectares, Forcing 33,750 People From Their Homes
Public Safety Canada released its October update on the 2026 wildfire season in Ottawa, Ontario, on October 15. Canada had more than 5,400 wildfires this year, burning approximately 4.5 million hectares. Since April 2026, wildfires forced more than 33,750 people from their homes, including more than 8,800 people from First Nations communities, and several wildfires were still active when the update was released.
Ottawa said the season started slower than average before prolonged heat, drought and low humidity made activity significant in several regions. Northwestern Ontario and southern British Columbia were particularly affected, and activity in the Northwest Territories was extremely intense, accounting for over one third of the total area burned in Canada in 2026.
Before the season, Budget 2025 established Canada's first national aerial firefighting surge capacity through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, with a $316.7 million investment over five years to lease ten firefighting aircraft through Conair Group Inc., Coldstream Helicopters and VIH Helicopters. In May, Ottawa also announced $47.8 million over five years to strengthen Parks Canada's wildfire preparedness and response capacity.
Source: Public Safety Canada
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加拿大森林野火 / Photo: A wildfire in Canada（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 2.5）
Japan Foreign Ministry Roundup for November 10: 1 Billion Yen Security Assistance for Sri Lanka, G7 Ministers Meet in Paris on Crises and Super Intelligence2026-11-10
UK Foreign Office Roundup for November 10: Ethiopia Action Plan Published Under the Global Clean Power Alliance, Consular Guide for Indonesia Updated2026-11-10