OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Wildfire seasons are now longer, more complex and more challenging than in the past, and 2026 was no exception. After a slower than average start to the season, wildfire activity, driven by periods of prolonged heat, drought and low humidity, became significant in several regions across the country. Northwestern Ontario and Southern British Columbia were particularly affected, experiencing sustained wildfire activity that threatened communities and critical infrastructure. Wildfire activity was also extremely intense in the Northwest Territories, which accounted for over one third of the total area burned in Canada in 2026.
Overall, Canada had more than 5,400 wildfires this year that burned approximately 4.5 million hectares. While the situation on the ground has improved significantly, there are several wildfires still active across the country. As a result, since April 2026, wildfires forced more than 33,750 people from their homes, including more than 8,800 people from First Nations communities. As thousands of people, and families, were forced to evacuate, communities came together and first responders worked tirelessly to protect lives and property.
This year, prior to the start of the wildfire season the government took concrete action to strengthen Canada's wildfire response capacity. Through Budget 2025, the federal government established the first national aerial firefighting surge capacity through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), helping ensure additional firefighting aircraft would be available where they were needed most. Through a federal investment of $316.7 million over five years, CIFFC leased ten firefighting aircraft through contracts with Conair Group Inc., Coldstream Helicopters, and VIH Helicopters. This marked an important expansion in Canada's firefighting capacity as these aircraft were put to work across the country logging more than 2,120 flight hours and delivering over 14,400 water and fire-retardant drops. All the aircraft were active and deployed during the peak of the wildfire season across nine provinces and territories. This is what federal leadership looks like in an emergency: putting resources in place before they are needed and working together with provinces and territories to get those resources deployed where they can make a difference.
Responding to wildfires is a collective effort. No one government, community or organization can do it alone. Firefighters, first responders, volunteers, local leaders, Indigenous nations, and all orders of government work together to protect communities. Our country's ability to respond to the challenge of wildfire depends on these partnerships. Our government is deeply grateful for the partnership of provincial and territorial colleagues, and extends sincere thanks to first responders, the Canadian Armed Forces, and emergency management officials who work to keep people safe and support evacuees.
The federal government appreciates and recognizes the work of humanitarian workforce organizations including The Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) and Team Rubicon Canada who worked alongside local first responders and volunteers to provide critical support, including shelter, first aid and mental health services. We are also grateful for the work of over 560 international firefighters from Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia who provided assistance over the course of the summer.
Communities across the country are recovering and rebuilding, showing strength and resilience in the face of adversity. But recovery does not end when the fires are put out. The federal government will continue to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and communities through the long road to recovery, including helping communities rebuild, strengthen their resilience and prepare for future emergencies.
As Canada continues to face longer and more complex wildfire seasons, the government will also continue strengthening Canada's emergency management system, increasing our response capacity, and working with partners to make sure we continue to be better prepared in the years ahead.
Quotes
"I want to express my sincere appreciation for the thousands of firefighters, emergency management personnel, Canadian Armed Forces members, Indigenous leaders, local officials and volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect Canadians this wildfire season. This summer showed the strength of what we can accomplish when we work together. I have seen first-hand the courage, professionalism and resilience of those who step up when Canadians need them most. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your service and dedication. Our government will continue working to strengthen Canada's response capacity, support communities through recovery and build greater resilience for the future."
- The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience
"This has been another challenging wildfire season for many First Nations communities. Thousands of people had to leave their homes, and families and communities faced significant disruption. I want to recognize First Nations leaders, community first responders and volunteers for their leadership, courage, and care in helping keep people safe. We will continue working with First Nations and our partners to support communities as they recover and prepare for future wildfire seasons."
- The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
"From professional firefighters to volunteers, Canadians from coast to coast to coast have come together to protect lives, support evacuees and help communities recover during this significant wildfire season. I join Minister Olszewski in expressing my gratitude for the dedication and resilience demonstrated by those responding to the devastating impacts of wildfires on our communities and across our country. I also extend my deepest appreciation to the hundreds of firefighters who travelled from Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia to support Canada when we needed it most. We are deeply grateful for your service and will continue working with partners at all levels to strengthen Canada's preparedness, response capacity and resilience in the face of future disasters."
- Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience
Quick Facts
- The Government Operations Centre (GOC) supports preparedness for and leads the coordination of the integrated response to all-hazard events across the country, including wildfires.
- This year the GOC has supported two wildfire-related Requests for Federal Assistance (RFAs)
- An RFA was received from the Province of Ontario for support to air evacuation including the evacuation of approximately 900 residents of Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope).
- An RFA was received from the Province of British Columbia for accommodations for evacuees, which included the Canadian Armed Forces providing lodging for evacuees at the Vernon Cadet Camp.
- In May, the Government of Canada announced $47.8 million over five years to strengthen Parks Canada's wildfire preparedness, response and risk-reduction capacity, supporting frontline personnel, nationally deployable equipment, prescribed fire and vegetation management to help protect Canadians, communities and ecosystems from growing wildfire risks.
Associated Links
- Wildfires: Federal Response - Canada.ca
- Government of Canada to match donations to the Red Cross' 2026 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal
- Requests for Federal Assistance Process
- Government of Canada invests $47.8 million to strengthen Parks Canada wildfire preparedness and protect communities
- Government of Canada invests in bolstering pan-Canadian aerial wildfire firefighting capacity
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SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Contacts: Soraya Lemur, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]
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