Press Release
June 12, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Wildfires are increasingly large-scale events that threaten the health, safety, and economic stability of Canadians. As such, the Government of Canada is committed to providing information about climate change and its impact on everyday life.
Today, the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit S. Sajjan, with Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada Steven Guilbeault, and Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Patty Hajdu, convened to share with Canadians the latest assessment of the 2024 wildfire season.
Latest projections for the 2024 seasonal wildland fire forecast indicate the wildfire risk in Canada is expected to remain high over the coming months, for much of the country, particularly in regions that continue to experience intense drought, including northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and southern Northwest Territories.
For June, there is potential for above-normal wildfire activity across much of the country, from British Columbia to Labrador, and portions of Atlantic Canada. The forecast for July indicates a potential for above-average conditions to continue. The federal government will continue to monitor conditions closely. Further information is available through the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) meteorologists continue to predict weather conditions for summer 2024 that could lead to greater wildfire risks. High-risk regions over British Columbia and Alberta have experienced close to normal temperature over the spring months. However, as we can expect with climate change, these regions have experienced drier than normal conditions during the same period. Drought conditions are expected to persist in high-risk regions in July, including the southern regions of the prairie and western provinces. ECCC is forecasting continued above-normal temperatures nationwide for the summer period. Such conditions exacerbate the risk and intensity of both natural and human-caused wildfires.
With this assessment and the ongoing wildfire risk, it is important to remember that everyone has a part in preparing for the potential impact of wildfires in our communities. The Government of Canada has taken steps to increase our preparedness, with a focus on the health, safety and security of Canadians, to ensure the necessary capacity is available to support provinces and territories and mobilize resources when they are needed for the 2024 wildfire season.
Quotes
“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 provide assistance to provinces and territories should the need arise.”
– The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“Last year, Canada experienced its most destructive forest fire season in history. While favourable weather conditions have helped control some of the larger wildfires in western Canada this May, coming warmer weather is expected to bring challenges. The federal government has been working to prepare Canada for wildfires in 2024 by collaborating with partners across the country to build skills, support scientific research, and assist firefighters in preparing for and responding to not only the 2024 season, but also for a future where the impact of climate change on the severity of wildfires is becoming increasingly apparent.”
– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“The safety and well-being of all Canadians is the number one priority as we face what could become another difficult wildfire season. We have the backs of Canadians in communities across the country to help them better prepare against the impacts of wildfire and other forms of extreme weather. Just last week, we announced a new half-billion dollar program for municipalities to invest in planning and infrastructure to adapt to climate change and improved the air quality alert system to better inform Canadians of the risk of wildfire smoke.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
“Everyone in Canada deserves to feel safe, but First Nations are disproportionally at risk of wildfires. This is already a difficult summer for many communities but we will be by their side before, during and after wildfires. And we will do it in a way that respects their self-determination and supports their leadership.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Quick facts
Associated links
Contacts
Joanna Kanga
Press Secretary and Outreach Advisor
Office of the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Joanna.Kanga@kpc-cpr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca
Carolyn Svonkin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada
343-597-1725
carolyn.svonkin@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Kaitlin Power
Senior Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
Kaitlin.Power@ec.gc.ca
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca
Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Jennifer.Kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
media@sac-isc.gc.ca
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