Canada's 2026 wildfires are the fourth worst on record — and the season isn't over yet

Canada's 2026 wildfires rank fourth worst on record, the federal government reports. By Aug. 19, 4,793 fires had burned 4.1 million hectares — an area larger than Nova Scotia and well above the yearly average. The season ends Oct. 31. Officials have called for international help and set preparedness to the highest level.