Public Safety Canada

Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada Eleanor Olszewski (Edmonton Centre, Alta.) and Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty (Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou, Que.)  provided the latest update on the wildfire situation in Canada. As of Aug. 18, there are 582 active wildfires nationally including 31 that are out of control, with full response. In total this season, there have been 4,793 fires and 4.1 million hectares burned. Last year we saw fewer fires at this time – 4,584 fires by mid-August – but a more significant number of hectares burned – 7.7 million. Looking ahead, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather forecast points to above-average temperatures across much of Canada from August through September. These conditions, combined with ongoing drought and dryness in some regions may mean that elevated wildfire risk persists in the weeks ahead. The full release is available online. Contact Soraya.Lemur@ps-sp.gc.ca.