Canada Wildfire Crisis: Calls for National Fire Agency Grow 2026

Canada's escalating wildfire crisis, with record-breaking seasons and thousands of fires, has renewed urgent calls for a national wildfire agency. As climate change intensifies, the need for a coordinated federal response has never been more critical.

Canada’s Worst Wildfire Seasons on Record

Canada is facing an unprecedented wildfire crisis. In 2023, the country experienced its worst wildfire season ever, with over 15 million hectares burned—an area larger than England. The 2025 season ranked second, with 8.3 million hectares destroyed. Ontario’s 2024 season was its worst on record, and 2025 continued the devastating trend.

“Never in our modern record have we had three bad fire years,” said Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University. Climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions, is creating hotter, drier conditions that fuel these catastrophic fires.

The Call for a National Wildfire Agency

Canada is the only G7 country without a national emergency agency mandated to respond to wildfires. Provincial and territorial governments manage fires, while the federal government provides support only when requested. This fragmented approach has led to repeated calls for a unified national strategy.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently urged a countrywide response: “We need a large national fire strategy. We seem to be going through this every single year.” The federal government considered creating a national disaster response agency after the 2023 devastation, but no such body was established.

Why a Federal Agency Matters

Experts argue a national wildfire agency would improve preparedness, resource sharing, and rapid response across provinces. It could also coordinate with international partners, as seen when Canadian smoke drifted into the US, affecting millions. A centralized approach would help manage not only fires but also floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

Comparison: Canada vs. US Wildfire Management

Key Takeaways

• Canada has experienced three of its worst fire seasons in the last three years.
• Climate change is a primary driver, with hotter and drier conditions.
• A national wildfire agency could ensure faster, more coordinated responses.
• Provinces alone cannot handle the scale of modern wildfires.
• International cooperation is essential, as smoke crosses borders.

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