Wildfires are increasingly large-scale events that threaten the health, safety, and economic stability of Canadians. As such, the Government of Canada is committed to providing information about climate change and its impact on everyday life.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians and keeping them safe from extreme weather events brought on by climate change. We are working closely with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, and our international allies to protect all Canadians from wildfires. We will continue to monitor the wildfire situation across Canada and we are prepared to provide assistance to provinces and territories should the need arise.”

- The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

“Last year, Canada experienced its most destructive forest fire season in history. While favourable weather conditions have helped control some of the larger wildfires in western Canada this May, coming warmer weather is expected to bring challenges. The federal government has been working to prepare Canada for wildfires in 2024 by collaborating with partners across the country to build skills, support scientific research, and assist firefighters in preparing for and responding to not only the 2024 season, but also for a future where the impact of climate change on the severity of wildfires is becoming increasingly apparent.”

- The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"The safety and well-being of all Canadians is the number one priority as we face what could become another difficult wildfire season. We have the backs of Canadians in communities across the country to help them better prepare against the impacts of wildfire and other forms of extreme weather. Just last week, we announced a new half-billion dollar program for municipalities to invest in planning and infrastructure to adapt to climate change and improved the air quality alert system to better inform Canadians of the risk of wildfire smoke.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“Everyone in Canada deserves to feel safe, but First Nations are disproportionally at risk of wildfires. This is already a difficult summer for many communities but we will be by their side before, during and after wildfires. And we will do it in a way that respects their self-determination and supports their leadership.”

– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

• To access the latest weather, forecast and alert information Canadians can download the WeatherCAN application and get notifications wherever they are in Canada.

• The Government of Canada’s Wildfires 2024 web page includes information about programs, policies and initiatives to keep Canadians informed about the wildfire situation and to support provincial and territorial efforts to combat wildfires.

• In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police and municipalities. If they need assistance at the local level, they request it from their province or territory. If an emergency escalates beyond the capabilities of a province or territory, they can seek assistance from the federal government by submitting a request for federal assistance.

• The Government Operations Centre (GOC), on behalf of the Government of Canada, is the lead for federal response coordination for emergency events affecting the national interest. The GOC has activated a wildfires response team to Level 2: Risk Assessment and Planning. The GOC works in close collaboration with federal organizations, non-governmental organizations and provincial emergency management partners.

• To help people in Canada adapt to climate change and extreme weather, the Government of Canada has developed the National Adaptation Strategy with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, adaptation experts, and youth.

• The National Adaptation Strategy is a whole-of-society blueprint to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.

• Government of Canada analysis shows that climate-related impacts are costing average Canadian households $720 per year today and will rise to around $2,000 per year by 2050. In 2023, Canada’s severe weather caused over $3.1 billion in insured damages.

• Parks Canada manages and responds to wildfire in national parks with nearly 200 wildland firefighters and 100 incident management specialists who are trained to respond to wildfires and can manage all elements of complex incidents. Parks Canada collaborates with other jurisdictions and can provide equipment and firefighters when help is needed across the country and internationally.

• Indigenous Services Canada is providing funding for preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP). EMAP reimburses First Nations, provinces and territories and third-party emergency management providers 100 percent of eligible response and recovery costs, including evacuation costs.

Associated links

• Wildfires 2024
• FireSmart Canada
• Get Prepared: Wildfires
• Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy
• Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health

Joanna Kanga 
Press Secretary and Outreach Advisor
Office of the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Joanna.Kanga@kpc-cpr.gc.ca

Media Relations 
Public Safety Canada 
613-991-0657 
media@ps-sp.gc.ca

Carolyn Svonkin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada
343-597-1725
carolyn.svonkin@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Kaitlin Power
Senior Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
Kaitlin.Power@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca

Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Jennifer.Kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
media@sac-isc.gc.ca