What began as a far-below-average wildfire season for Canada has erupted into a national emergency in the span of 10 days. As of July 17–18, 2026, more than 900 active wildfires are burning from the Atlantic provinces to British Columbia, including new ignitions in Nova Scotia that authorities are still working to contain. The season's statistics have crossed a threshold that has alarmed fire scientists: the country has now burned more than the 25-year average.
