Thousands of residents in Eastern Canada are currently faced with mandatory evacuation orders as swift-moving wildfires wreak havoc in a season that has become one of the worst in the nation’s history. The situation is dire, with over 700 active wildfires reported by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, which is the main body coordinating firefighting efforts nationwide. By mid-August 2025, a staggering 18.5 million acres of forest have burned across the country, marking the second-highest acreage burned in Canadian history, trailing only behind the 2023 wildfire season, which consumed a total of 31.3 million acres.
Although the burned area is less than last year, Awa Cissé, a spokesperson for the firefighting center, indicated that the season could extend into the autumn months. Canada typically faces wildfires each year, but this season's severity can be attributed to prolonged drought conditions and exceptionally high temperatures. With limited snowfall last winter, many regions entered spring with extremely dry vegetation primed for combustion.
Western provinces, particularly Saskatchewan and Manitoba, are experiencing some of the most aggressive fires this season. The Shoe Fire in Saskatchewan, which has been ablaze since May 7, covers an astonishing 1.4 million acres, dwarfing the size of Grand Canyon National Park. Fortunately, recent rains have provided a brief respite to these provinces, effectively curbing the emergence of new fires and tempering the growth of ongoing blazes.
Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador, an area usually not prone to wildfires, is facing a season marked by multiple out-of-control fires. The capital, St. John’s, along with surrounding areas, is currently grappling with similar dry conditions seen in the western prairie regions. Research scientist Yan Boulanger of Natural Resources Canada indicated that wildfires in this region typically occur in the "wildland-urban interface," where residential structures are in close proximity to combustible vegetation.
A declaration of emergency has been made for both Newfoundland and Labrador, with heat advisories affecting numerous areas. Furthermore, alarm bells are ringing for Southern British Columbia, where active forest fires have spiked, particularly on Vancouver Island, as the region experiences severe dryness. Interestingly, Quebec has remained largely unscathed this year, unlike the widespread devastation encountered in 2023, attributed to favorable wet weather earlier in the summer.
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, John Hogan, acknowledged that increasing temperatures and winds have led to the expansion of certain fires. In an effort to mitigate further risks, the province has implemented a ban on outdoor burning and initiated additional restrictions on off-road vehicles in forested areas. Hogan reassured citizens that violations of these regulations would warrant penalties for offenders. As conditions continue to evolve, communities remain vigilant in the face of a challenging wildfire season ahead.
