Canada’s 2024 wildfire season is already the second-worst on record, burning 3.7 million hectares as officials warn of more danger ahead.
Massive Area Burned by June Marks Historic Season
Canada’s 2024 wildfire season is shaping up to be the second most destructive in the country’s history, officials from Public Safety Canada confirmed during a technical briefing in Ottawa on June 13. As of this week, wildfires have scorched approximately 3.7 million hectares—a landmass six times the size of Prince Edward Island.
July Brings Heightened Risk in Western Canada
Federal officials warned that southern British Columbia, along with parts of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, faces the highest fire danger in July. Fire behavior is expected to intensify in those regions due to prevailing drought conditions and high fuel loads. The fire season’s severity mirrors that of 2023, the worst in recorded history.
Sixfold Increase Over Decade’s Seasonal Average
Typically, by mid-June, the 10-year average area burned in Canada sits around 800,000 hectares. This year’s figure already exceeds that by more than four times, and the fire season is far from over. Officials emphasized that the data suggests a sharp upward trend in both fire frequency and intensity across the country.
Extreme Heat to Persist Across Provinces
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, higher-than-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the country through August. While elevated heat levels are expected particularly in provinces east of Manitoba, wildfire risk will remain most critical in central and western Canada, where conditions remain unusually dry.
Climate Conditions Driving Dangerous Fire Patterns
Experts attribute the record-breaking fire behavior to a combination of climate-driven temperature spikes, reduced precipitation, and shifting wind patterns. These conditions contribute to faster-spreading and harder-to-control wildfires. Officials have urged communities, especially in high-risk zones, to remain vigilant and to follow evacuation protocols if issued.
Government Response and Future Preparedness
Public Safety Canada stated it is coordinating with provincial agencies and Indigenous communities to strengthen fire response measures. Resources such as aerial firefighting units, cross-border support agreements, and emergency communications systems are being mobilized in preparation for further outbreaks through the summer.
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