HOW FIRE SEASON IS CHANGING THE OUTDOORS
In 2023 and again in 2025, Canada reached National Preparedness Level 5, the highest wildfire preparedness level possible, for nearly the entire fire season.
Every available domestic firefighting resource was committed. Smoke blanketed cities thousands of kilometres away. Trails, parks and campgrounds closed. Communities were evacuated. Outdoor events were cancelled. Wildfire is no longer something that only impacts remote forests. It is affecting communities, economies, and the ways Canadians spend time outside.
Wildfires don't just burn trees
They disrupt tourism economies, force outdoor businesses to close during peak seasons, and threaten communities that depend on the outdoors. Smoke events are also becoming a regular part of summer across the entire country, making entire regions difficult, or unsafe, to access for weeks at a time.
The challenge is growing
Canada now faces more than $6 billion in annual wildfire damages. Wildfires also release an estimated 600 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, creating a dangerous feedback loop: a warming climate creates conditions for more extreme fires, while larger fires release more emissions that accelerate climate change.
But not every wildfire becomes a disaster. In fact, roughly 3% of fires cause 97% of the damage. That means one of the biggest opportunities we have is catching fires earlier, while they are still small. Research shows that investing in early detection and rapid response could reduce wildfire losses by 30–78%.
Indigenous leadership is part of the solution
Indigenous Peoples have cared for these lands for thousands of years, including through traditional fire stewardship practices that help maintain healthy ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk and destruction. Supporting Indigenous fire guardians and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into wildfire strategies must be a key part of building a more resilient future.
Protecting the places we love
Wildfires will always be part of Canada's landscapes. The goal isn't to eliminate fire, it's to prevent more fires from becoming catastrophic disasters. That means investing in the tools, knowledge, and capacity needed to detect fires sooner, respond faster, and better protect communities and the places we love.