The Government of Canada provides an update regarding the 2026 wildfire season – August update

As of today, 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.

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, joined by the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided the latest update on the wildfire situation in Canada.

As of today, 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.

The 2026 wildfire season has been shaped by prolonged periods of heat, low humidity and dry conditions in several parts of the country. In mid-July these underlying conditions led to a series of intense wildfires in Northwestern Ontario that caused significant damage and precipitated the evacuation of a number of communities, including numerous First Nations. On July 15, the federal government received a precautionary Request for Federal Assistance (RFA) from Ontario which resulted in the evacuation of Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope) by the Canadian Armed Forces starting on July 18.