Wildfire risk set to remain high across Canada for the summer

Today (June 12) an official statement was released on behalf of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, revealing that the latest assessment of the upcoming wildfire season is now available to the public. According to an official press release, projections surrounding the 2024 fire forecast indicate that the national risk for wildfires is anticipated to remain high.

As for which areas will be likely the hardest hit, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories are the most vulnerable, as they are at high risk for summer droughts. 

Meteorologists at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will continue to monitor weather patterns throughout the summer to anticipate potential wildfire threats across Canada. As for the more vulnerable regions, ECCC representatives state they will closely monitor what is expected to be a significant dry season for any significant t changes in patterns. 

According to information provided by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, regions at risk of droughts can expect conditions to persist well into July — while on a national scale — higher-than-normal temperatures are expected all summer long. 

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians and keeping them safe from extreme weather events brought on by climate change. We are working closely with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, and our international allies to protect all Canadians from wildfires. We will continue to monitor the wildfire situation across Canada and we are prepared to assist provinces and territories should the need arise,” said Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit S. Sajjan in a statement to the press. 

According to statistics provided by the Government of Canada, climate-related incidents are actively costing Canadian households roughly $720 per year today — with these numbers anticipated to rise to $ 2,000 by 2050. 

To close out their findings, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada noted that Canadians can access forecast alerts on the WatherCAN application to help assist in wildfire preparedness.