Canada Faces Second-Worst Wildfire Season on Record Burning Over 7 Million Hectares

Canada is experiencing its second-worst wildfire season on record in 2025, with over 7.3 million hectares burned, more than double the 10-year average, largely due to fewer but significantly larger fires. The prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been hardest hit, accounting for about 60% of the burned area. Climate change is a key factor in prolonging and intensifying the wildfire season, with higher temperatures, drier conditions, and increased lightning strikes creating ideal conditions for massive fires. The wildfires have caused extensive evacuations and led to severe air quality issues in cities like Winnipeg, where air quality indices have reached hazardous levels. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Colorado is facing its worst wildfire season since 2020, with multiple large fires fueled by drought and extreme weather conditions, prompting firefighting efforts focused on protecting structures amid limited resources. Both countries are contending with the compounded effects of heat, drought, and fire, signaling an ongoing challenge linked to climate change.