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Canada is experiencing its worst wildfire season of the 21st century.

Wildfires could be triple Canada’s industrial emissions. But they’re excluded from the official carbon tally
(FILES) Residents watch the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on August 17, 2023, from Kelowna. Ottawa estimates the annual cost of fighting wildfires at Can$1 billion, and noted that, according to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate impacts such as more and bigger fires could halve Canada's projected economic growth in the coming years. Most worrying, he said, is that Canadians aren't dealing anymore with one localized disaster every few years or decades, but rather "several events stacked on top of each other in a single year" -- including fires, floods, heatwaves and powerful storms. (Photo by Darren HULL / AFP) (Photo by DARREN HULL/AFP via Getty Images)
Wild fire coach Dean Evason, assistant Bob Woods after losing 14 of their first 19 games
Minnesotas head coach Dean Evason, rear center, attends the NHL Global Series Sweden ice hockey match between Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency via AP)
From the ice to the lab, glaciologists search for clues of B.C.’s past wildfires, volcanoes and other calamities
Eric Steig retrieves an ice core from storage at the Canadian Ice Core Laboratory in Edmonton, Alberta on October 27, 2023. Kelsey McMillan / The Globe and Mail.

What to know about wildfires in Canada


Latest news and updates about wildfires

canada
Wildfires could be triple Canada’s industrial emissions. But they’re excluded from the official carbon tally
(FILES) Residents watch the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on August 17, 2023, from Kelowna. Ottawa estimates the annual cost of fighting wildfires at Can$1 billion, and noted that, according to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate impacts such as more and bigger fires could halve Canada's projected economic growth in the coming years. Most worrying, he said, is that Canadians aren't dealing anymore with one localized disaster every few years or decades, but rather "several events stacked on top of each other in a single year" -- including fires, floods, heatwaves and powerful storms. (Photo by Darren HULL / AFP) (Photo by DARREN HULL/AFP via Getty Images)
hockey
Wild fire coach Dean Evason, assistant Bob Woods after losing 14 of their first 19 games
Minnesotas head coach Dean Evason, rear center, attends the NHL Global Series Sweden ice hockey match between Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency via AP)
canada
From the ice to the lab, glaciologists search for clues of B.C.’s past wildfires, volcanoes and other calamities
Eric Steig retrieves an ice core from storage at the Canadian Ice Core Laboratory in Edmonton, Alberta on October 27, 2023. Kelsey McMillan / The Globe and Mail.
british columbia
B.C. man ordered to pay $450,000 over 2019 wildfire triggered by debris burn
canada
Quebec to improve forest fire adaptation after record-beating wildfire season
A reporter takes a photo of trees damaged by fire during a tour near Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Que., Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Quebec's forest fire prevention agency says the area burned by wildfires this year was greater than the previous 20 years combined. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
canada
Residents in Northwest Territories to vote today in election delayed by wildfire
The Northwest Territories provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa on Monday July 6, 2020. Residents of the Northwest Territories are heading to the polls today, more than a month after the election was originally set to be held. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
canada
In Halifax, a city surrounded by forests, citizens call for wildfire escape routes
Antoniella Assalone pictured in front of the Indigo Shores lot map, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Clark
canada
Quebec mayor, 23, resigns mid-mandate because of burnout from managing forest fires
Isabelle Lessard, mayor of Chapais, Que., says her resignation is effective Nov. 17. PHOTO PC/HO-Mathilde Nadeau **MANDATORY CREDIT**
world
Virginia’s governor declares a state of emergency as firefighters battle wildfires
This photo provided by Virginia Department of Forestry shows the fire breached a spot in the containment lines and is slowly expanding into Shenandoah National Park and The Rapidan Tract of the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area on Nov. 5, 2023. The state Department of Forestry said a wildfire near Madison County has led officials to encourage some residents to evacuate as crews work to stop the blaze from spreading. That fire had burned nearly 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) on Sunday, but no structures have been affected and firefighters were installing additional fire lines to maintain that, the agency said. (Virginia Department of Forestry via AP)
world
Evacuation order issued for thousands in southern California as Santa Ana winds fuel wildfire
A structure is engulfed in flames as a wildfire called the Highland Fire burns in Aguanga, Calif., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land southeast of Los Angeles on Monday, forcing thousands of people from their homes, fire authorities said. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
report on business
Alberta partnering with AI company to try to predict wildfires before they ignite
Smoke from wildfires is visible in Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
canada
Lack of fire mitigation measures may have exacerbated Halifax-area wildfire: report
Firefighters and other emergency responders work at a staged command centre within the evacuated zone of the wildfire burning in Tantallon, N.S., outside of Halifax on Monday, May 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
canada
Fire-ravaged Northwest Territories hamlet asks for independent inquiry as it looks to rebuild
A cafe and gift shop destroyed by the wildfires is shown in Enterprise, Northwest Territories on Wednesday October 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
canada
Ontario adds $20.5-million in funding to fight wildfires, including for training and drones
Wildfire smoke near Fort Albany in northern Ontario on July 6, 2023.
canada
Canada’s dramatic summer weather has altered the fall colours this year, researchers say
Leaves displaying changing fall colours are seen at Ontario Place in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
british columbia
B.C.’s emergency supports are outdated, under-resourced and fail to meet diverse needs, says report
Ombudsperson Jay Chalke speaks during a press conference in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, April 6, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
canada
Unreleased Nova Scotia report details major gaps in cell coverage
A motorist stops to survey the damage to a washed-out bridge following a major rain event near Newport Corner, N.S. on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Nova Scotia’s Department of Public Works says it’s repaired nearly 500 sections of damaged paved and gravel roads and 60 road shoulders since last weekend's record storm caused severe flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
canada
State of emergency lifted in West Kelowna, B.C., after McDougall Creek wildfire
<div>Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has lifted the state of local emergency in West Kelowna, B.C., more than a month after the McDougall Creek wildfire devastated the area. Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel</div>
canada
N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane says she won’t run for re-election in upcoming vote
Premier Caroline Cochrane of the Northwest Territories has announced she won't be running for re-election in November. Cochrane speaks about the wildfire situation after visiting evacuees in Edmonton, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
british columbia
Nearly a billion in wildfire costs helps to push B.C.’s projected deficit to $6.7B
British Columbia's projected deficit in the 2023-2024 fiscal year has grown by more than $2 billion from original estimates to reach almost $7 billion. Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy arrives to the podium during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
british columbia
Fire danger drops, bans lifting as cooler weather eases B.C.’s wildfire season
Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
british columbia
Conditional sentence for B.C. woman who set fires at start of 2022 wildfire season
A 43-year-old Kamloops, B.C., woman has been sentenced for two arson fires she admitted to setting. A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
opinion
Trees burn – of course they do. That doesn’t make them climate-change villains
Peter Kuitenbrouwer
canada
B.C. mule deer stressed by wildfire, but still much to learn about wildlife impacts
Deer cross a road in a neighborhood filled with smoke due to a nearby wildfire in the Glenmore Highlands area of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren
canada
Smoke prevents Yellowknife from holding welcome home celebration
Heavy smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and British Columbia fill the air at 9am Mountain Daylight Time in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
canada
As wildfires closed in on Yellowknife, these firefighters held the line
opinion
As an environmentalist, I knew about wildfire risks. But this time, the fire was headed right to my doorstep
Jim Cooperman
british columbia
First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia
The City of Kelowna, B.C., declared a state of emergency, as fire crews responded to spot fires coming across Okanagan Lake from the McDougall Creek wildfire. An evacuation order has been issued for the Clifton Road North and McKinley neighbourhoods
british columbia
Destructive West Kelowna, B.C., wildfire now considered ‘held’
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above lakefront homes in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. The large wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in West Kelowna, B.C., is now considered "held," after raging out of control since mid-August. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
books
Shortlist for $75,000 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction includes past winner John Vaillant, scholar Christina Sharpe
world
Climate change may mean ‘hundreds of billions’ at risk in U.S. housing market
(FILES) Plumes of smoke rise as wildfire approaches a home during the Fairview Fire near Hemet, California, in Riverside County on September 7, 2022. The US state of California sued five of the world's largest oil companies on September 15, 2023, alleging the firms caused billions of dollars in damages and misled the public by minimizing the risks from fossil fuels, according to a court filing. It follows numerous other cases brought by US cities, counties and states against fossil fuel interests over the impact of climate change as well as alleged disinformation campaigns spanning decades. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
british columbia
B.C. health minister says health care operations will need to grow in summer months to handle wildfire evacuees
A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
british columbia
B.C. to introduce new disaster management laws to address preparedness, mitigation
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, left, and B.C. Premier David Eby walk together as they arrive for a meeting at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District offices, in Salmon Arm, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Ma says the province will soon be ready to introduce new laws to govern responses to increasingly frequent natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
british columbia
More evacuation alerts for southern B.C., wildfire but cooler weather could help
Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Most of the District of Peachland along the west side of Okanagan Lake is now on evacuation alert as drought, heat and windy conditions in southern British Columbia fuel the late-season Glen Lake wildfire.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
world
Dropping in to fight wildfires with the smokejumpers
Video4:04
british columbia
B.C. municipal politicians to send provincial government warning on response to wildfires
Burned vehicles are seen at a property destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck