Lightning Siege Pushes Canada's 2026 Wildfires Past Decade Average

Nearly 34,000 lightning strikes across southern British Columbia in one week ignited new wildfires, pushing Canada's 2026 season past its 10-year average: 2.95 million hectares burned versus 2.55 million. By July 24, 90 fires burned in BC with 25 evacuation orders. Prime Minister Carney called it "one of the most intense wildfire seasons on record."