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Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Federal officials say wildfire forecast shows high risk of more fires in August
Published Jul 18, 2025 • 1 minute read The Izman Creek wildfire burns near Lytton, B.C., on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. It was caused by a wheel breaking off an RCMP trailer, Mounties say. Photo by BC Wildfire Service OTTAWA — The 2025 wildfire season is already one of the worst on record for Canada and there is a high risk that more fires will break out in August, federal officials said on Friday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July. That is still well behind the record fire season in 2023, when more than 6,000 fires burned more than 15 million hectares of land. There were 561 fires burning as of Friday, including 69 that were considered out of control. Officials said the fire risk typically rises throughout August and they are predicting higher than normal temperatures for most of the country next month. 'This is consistent with climate change projections, which show that the next five years will be warmer than (we) are used to,' said Sebastien Chouinard, the director of operations at the Canadian meteorological centre. August is also slated to bring below-normal rainfall levels for the Prairies, B.C. and the Maritimes. Saskatchewan has already seen one of the worst fire seasons ever in terms of area burned, and a record number of people have been forced out of their homes in that province. More than 530 firefighters from Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States are in Canada to help. MMA Toronto & GTA Tennis Celebrity Sunshine Girls
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
2025 wildfire season one of the worst on record, and it's not over yet: government
The Canadian wildfire season continues with twice the area burned so far this year compared to the average for the past decade, according to the latest technical briefing from the Government of Canada. And it's expected to continue through September. Hot temperatures combined with dry conditions have led to one of the most severe wildfire seasons on record, the report said, and western Canada has been 'disproportionately' impacted, with the region having the most area burned so far. The fires have led to multiple air quality warnings issued throughout parts of the country. How bad are the wildfires in 2025? The National Preparedness Level classifies the amount of national resources committed to an area, as well as the demand for interagency resources through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), according to Natural Resources Canada. Story continues below advertisement As of July 18, the National Preparedness Level is at 5, the highest on the scale. Specifically, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are at Level 5, while most other provinces and territories are at Level 3. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Currently, there are 561 active wildfires in Canada, compared to 544 on July 17, with 69 considered 'Out of Control,' the report says. Although Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory have recorded the most fires so far in 2025, British Columbia and Alberta currently have the highest number of fires with a 'Full Response.' And more than 5.5 million hectares have been burned since the start of January through to July 18 — more than double the 10-year average of 2.12 million. The report says higher than normal temperatures and below average rainfall may be key factors that have contributed to the intense and frequent wildfires in regions most impacted. In the period from July 2024 to June 2025, temperatures were higher than normal across most of Canada, while B.C. saw close to normal values. In the month of June 2025, regions along the U.S. border were reported as having above normal temperatures. Drought conditions were seen consistently across Canada over the past 12 months, and this has been the case for more than two years, the briefing says. Meanwhile, from April to June of 2025, 'significantly lower than normal' rainfall was seen from B.C across to northwestern Ontario. Story continues below advertisement Eastern regions saw higher than normal precipitation levels from April to June of 2025. 1:56 Air quality alerts issued as wildfire smoke sweeps across central Canada Will the situation improve later this season? At the end of June, Environment and Climate Change Canada projected a high probability of above normal temperatures for 'nearly all Canadian regions,' from July to September. Precipitation levels, too, are forecasted to be below normal for B.C. and the Prairies. Story continues below advertisement More immediately, the rest of July is expected to continue seeing an elevated fire danger throughout western Canada, with the highest fire danger focused on the southern part of Northwest Territories due to ongoing dry conditions. In August, above average summer temperatures are expected to continue for most of Canada, the report says, with most of eastern Canada expected to see more rainfall, and likely a lower wildfire risk overall. B.C. is expected to have the highest fire danger in August, which is somewhat consistent compared to previous reports.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Cision Canada
Canada Invests in Wildfire Innovation and Resilience Through New Centre of Excellence Français
OTTAWA, ON, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - With wildfires impacting Canadians across the country, the federal government is taking action to prevent wildfires, mitigate their effects and boost resilience. The Government of Canada's first priority is protecting Canadians and supporting those affected by wildfire. Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, announced an investment of $11.7 million over four years to establish the Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada (WRCC). Funded through the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, the WRCC will serve as a national centre of excellence and virtual hub for wildland fire innovation and knowledge exchange. The WRCC will advance many of the actions in the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, agreed to by the leaders of the G7 this spring in Canada and endorsed by the leaders of Australia, India, Mexico, the Republic of Korea and South Africa. It will bring together domestic and international governments, communities impacted by wildfires, the private sector and individual experts to share knowledge, facilitate collaboration and accelerate the use of cutting-edge science and technology in wildfire prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. It will also support Indigenous fire stewardship and the cultural use of fire, recognizing and respecting traditional knowledge as a critical component of wildfire resilience. Minister Hodgson also delivered the latest national wildfire forecast. Looking ahead, Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather forecasts point to above-average temperatures across much of Canada from July through August, with dry conditions expected to intensify in the coming weeks, particularly in the west and north. Based on these weather forecasts, Natural Resources Canada's modelling predicts elevated wildfire risk from Yukon eastward to northwestern Ontario and in Nova Scotia and eastern New Brunswick. By August, wildfire activity is expected to continue to increase and persist to well-above-average conditions over much of western Canada, with the highest fire danger in southern British Columbia. Throughout this wildfire season and beyond, Canada is coordinating cross-jurisdictional collaboration, supporting those on the front lines, protecting Canadians and equipping communities with the tools and knowledge they need to stay informed and stay safe. Quotes "Wildfires pose a real threat to the safety, health and economic well-being of communities across Canada. Our government is leading efforts to strengthen wildfire management and reduce wildfire risks in Canada. Today's announcement will allow us to advance our G7 commitments and prepare for future challenges by advancing wildfire knowledge and developing innovative ways to build resilience and protect Canadian families and homes." The Honourable Tim Hodgson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "As Canada's first-ever Minister for Community Resilience, I'm focused on making sure communities have the tools they need to prepare for and respond to wildfires. The launch of this centre reflects our government's priority to strengthen local capacity through research, innovation and practical support so communities are better equipped to face longer, more-intense fire seasons." The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada "This summer, we are witnessing the direct impact of climate change on communities across our country, as we are seeing an increase of wildfires across Canada. Collaboration, scientific research and improved technologies are essential in adapting to this new reality. As wildfire smoke impacts the daily lives of Canadians, I urge everyone to monitor the local air quality statements and warnings, using the WeatherCAN app, as well as checking the Air Quality Health Index in their area." The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Minister of Environment and Climate Change "Advancing emergency management means First Nations must be full and equal partners. This investment honours First Nations leadership, strengthening community readiness by prioritizing the sharing of cultural practices and the fire management expertise of the community. Together, we are building a more-resilient future for generations to come." The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services "By integrating Indigenous fire stewardship, advanced technology and diverse knowledge-sharing systems from a place-based network to communities of practice, the WRCC aims to empower communities, academics, industries, organizations, individuals and others to work together toward transforming wildfire management in Canada." Glenn McGillivray Managing Director, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and WRCC Board Vice Chair Quick Facts The WRCC is a non-profit entity supported by several organizations, including core partners – the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and FPInnovations – and foundational partners – the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Thompson Rivers University Wildfire and Forest Products Association of Canada. The establishment of the WRCC aligns with strategic direction to engage societal partners in addressing wildfire risks, as outlined by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers' Canadian Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Strategy. The WRCC is funded under Natural Resources Canada's Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, which invests in programs and activities to enhance wildfire resilience in Canada and reduce wildfire risks in support of the National Adaptation Strategy. Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada Centre of Excellence for Wildland Fire Innovation and Resilience Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction FPInnovations National Indigenous Fire Safety Council TRU Wildfire Thompson Rivers University Forest Products Association of Canada Canadian Wildland Fire Information System: Monthly and Seasonal Forecasts Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy WildFireSat Kananaskis Wildfire Charter Wildfires – National Adaptation Strategy Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn. SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
