Wildfire season so far considered manageable across Canada, officials say

OTTAWA — Federal officials say the 2026 wildfire season has been manageable so far, largely because of significant amounts of rain across Western Canada.

But with higher than normal temperatures and lower than normal rainfall amounts predicted for large swaths of northern and eastern regions this summer, there is still a high risk.

The latest information from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows there have been 3,100 fires so far this season, compared to around 2,900 at this time last year.

But the total area burned this year is less than last year, at around 12,000 square kilometres down from 46,000 square kilometres.

In B.C., a pair of fires near the community of Boston Bar have destroyed several buildings and forced evacuation orders for hundreds of properties.

The 2025 wildfire season was the second-worst on record, with more than 89,000 square kilometres burned across the country.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press staff