The federal government says wildfire danger is growing across the country, with more than 18,000 hectares burned so far, over 13,000 in Wood Buffalo.
Emergency management Minister Eleanor Olszewski and Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin joined Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty for an announcement on Canada’s wildfire preparedness and the forecast for the 2026 wildfire season.
Minister Olszewski says there are 65 active wildfires in Canada with six wildfires currently out of control. The total area burned so far this year is over 18,935 hectares.
Among the six wildfires and nearly 19,000 hectares is over 13,352 burned in Wood Buffalo near the Whooping Crane Nesting Area, approximately 30 km northeast of Highway 5.
Wildland officials are concerned about how rising temperatures, particularly in the Dehcho and South Slave regions could affect conditions.
Firefighters actioned the fire with air tankers late into the evening yesterday and are continuing to mobilize a response.
“Today, three helicopters continued bucketing operations, with focus on containing the fire within the park boundary. Six GNWT air tankers are continuing to action the fire on the southeast flank of the fire. Additional resources began working on the fire today, including a Parks Canada Incident Management Team and four fire crews from other Parks Canada places,” said Wood Buffalo firefighters in an update issued around 11 a.m.
The wildfire is considered out of control but currently is not considered an immediate danger to the public.
Crews say structure protection measures, including sprinklers and helipads were installed yesterday
While there have been slight improvements to an unprecedented fourth season of drought in the N.W.T., drought conditions persist across the north and west.
“Forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures for nearly all Canadian regions for June, July and August. Several regions of Canada have received significant amounts of precipitation over the past six months, which could delay potential wildfire conditions,” read a message released today from Ottawa.
Wildfire danger is growing across the country according to modelling of wildfire risk by Natural Resources Canada.
The federal government emphasized Indigenous communities are facing disproportionately higher risks.
“First Nations communities continue to be disproportionately affected by emergency events, including wildfires, underscoring the need to provide them with the tools to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.”
The federal government said last year 44,920 people from 61 on-reserve First Nations were displaced from their homes due to wildfire.
The latest updates on wildfires in the territory are available on www.nwtfire.com
