2026 wildfire season fourth worst on record, with two months remaining

Canada's 2026 wildfire season ranks fourth worst on record, Ottawa reports. By Aug. 19, 4,793 fires had burned 4.1 million hectares — far above the 2.7-million average. The season runs through Oct. 31. CIFFC, the federal co-ordination agency, has set national preparedness to Level 5, its highest tier, and requested international help.