Canadians will learn Thursday how severe the 2026 wildfire season could be as officials release the national outlook.
This follows years of devastating wildfires. The 2025 season was Canada's second-worst on record, scorching nearly 90,000 square kilometers - an area larger than New Brunswick.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Eleanor Olszewski, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, and parliamentary secretary Corey Hogan will deliver the update.
On May 25, Olszewski announced a new national aerial firefighting surge capacity. For the first time, Ottawa will loan federal firefighting aircraft to provinces. The $317-million budget covers four air tankers, one spotter plane, and five heavy lift helicopters. These assets will be positioned based on fire activity forecasts.