Overview

• Canada's 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive on record, with over 6,551 fires burning nearly 71,000 square miles.
• 'Zombie fires,' smoldering below the surface from last year, are more common due to climate change, posing a significant threat.
• Alberta has declared an early start to the 2024 wildfire season, recruiting additional firefighters and banning outdoor fires near forests.
• Experts warn of a very active spring, with conditions set for more intense wildfires due to below-normal snowpack and warmer temperatures.
• Authorities are upgrading firefighting resources and preparing for the impacts of climate change on wildfire management.