Canada's 2024 Wildfire Season Poised to Be Second Largest in Two Decades

Above-normal temperatures and drought conditions have led to 5.3 million hectares burned so far, with Western Canada hit hardest.

Federal officials report that 5.3 million hectares have burned in Canada this year, making it the second-largest wildfire season in the last 20 years.
Climate change is driving earlier starts and later ends to wildfire seasons, creating a year-round fire risk.
Western Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan, accounts for 70% of the total area burned.
Experts emphasize the need to shift from viewing wildfires as seasonal events to understanding them as a continuous year-round threat.
International firefighters have returned home after assisting with the blazes, but fire activity is expected to continue into the winter.