18.76°C Vancouver

Sep 25, 2024 5:31 PM - The Canadian Press

2024 wildfire season is on track to be second largest in last two decades

Share On
2024-wildfire-season-is-on-track-to-be-second-largest-in-last-two-decades
Federal officials say above-normal temperatures and drought conditions across parts of Canada have continued to drive fire activity, with 5.3 million hectares burned so far, though they caution that number is preliminary.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada's wildfire season is on track to be the second largest in at least the last two decades, trailing only last year's record-breaking season.

Federal officials say above-normal temperatures and drought conditions across parts of Canada have continued to drive fire activity, with 5.3 million hectares burned so far, though they caution that number is preliminary.

Outside of last year's roughly 15 million hectares burned, federal records indicate only three other seasons have topped 5 million hectares, and the last was in 1995.

Yan Boulanger, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada, says as wildfire seasons start earlier and end later due to climate change, it's becoming, "increasingly evident," that Canada must shift away from the concept of a wildfire season toward the idea of a continuous fire year.

He says several of the last 10 years have been above the 25-year average for area burned, primarily due to extreme fire conditions and longer seasons, driven by climate change.

In a briefing, officials say Western Canada is being hit hardest, with about 70 per cent of the total area burned so far this year falling in British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan.

Latest news

alberta-rcmp-lay-charges-after-cough-syrup-laced-with-fentanyl-kills-man
AlbertaJul 09, 2025

Alberta RCMP lay charges after cough syrup laced with fentanyl kills man

Mounties in Alberta have charged a 23-year-old man with first-degree murder after he allegedly gave another man cough syrup laced with a fatal dose of fentanyl. Cpl. Gina Slaney says an 18-year-old resident of Chestermere, a city east of Calgary, died in hospital on April 3, 2020, about three days after consuming the substance. Court documents say the accused is also facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly gave the laced cough syrup to a 25-year-old Calgary resident who didn't end up drinking it. Investigators allege the medicine was intended for both victims. Inve
ottawa-set-to-miss-2026-deadline-for-establishing-10-a-day-child-care-report
CanadaJul 09, 2025

Ottawa set to miss 2026 deadline for establishing $10-a-day child care: report

Ottawa is expected to miss its 2026 deadline to implement $10-a-day child care services across the country, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said in a new report published on Wednesday. The analysis concluded that just six provinces and territories are meeting that fee target now. David Macdonald, an economist with the centre, said even though fees have dropped significantly everywhere, the federal government is unlikely to meet its self-imposed deadline. “It's almost certain that even after the 2026 deadline passes, many parents in five provinces will be paying more than $10 a da
WorldJul 09, 2025

Russia fires a record 728 drones at Ukraine overnight and 13 missiles, Ukraine's air force says

Russia fired a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, as well as 13 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said Wednesday. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 296 drones and seven missiles, while 415 more drones were lost from radars or jammed, a statement said. The attack mostly targeted Ukraine’s western Volyn region and Lutsk, the capital city of Volyn region, in Ukraine’s northwest, bordering Poland and Belarus, it said.
three-people-seriously-hurt-after-targeted-assault-at-calgary-stampede-police
CanadaJul 09, 2025

Three people seriously hurt after targeted assault at Calgary Stampede: Police

Calgary police say they are investigating after three people were seriously hurt in an assault at the Calgary Stampede. Police say they responded to reports of an assault just after 11 p.m. Tuesday near the Euroslide on the Stampede's midway. They say they found a severely injured man who was transported to hospital in life-threatening but stable condition. Police say they then responded to reports of a young person and a man who were injured outside the Stampede grounds. Investigators say both people were victims of the same assault that took place on the midway and they were transported to h
softball-excitement-in-surrey-team-canada-takes-on-new-zealand-and-ukraine-in-canada-cup
BCJul 08, 2025

Softball excitement in Surrey, Team Canada takes on New Zealand and Ukraine in Canada Cup

The Canada Cup has begun at Softball City in Surrey. This is the 30th edition of the Canada Cup and Team Canada, fresh from its gold medal performance at the Pan-American championship in Columbia, will play two matches in Surrey. The Canadian women's team will face New Zealand at 6 p.m. today and then Ukraine at 8:30 p.m. The final match of the tournament will be played on Sunday. Apart from the Canadian team, strong teams like Czechia, Greece, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Israel, Triple Crown Colorado and Team BC are also participating in the tournament. Today, players from Team Canada were a

Related News