EDMONTON – The federal government gave their latest update on the wildfire situation across Canada and included in that news conference was an announcement of funding that impacts Saskatchewan.
Natural Resources Canada has announced an investment of $1.25 million to six projects that the government says will strengthen wildfire preparedness and response capacity across the country. Included among those being funded for projects is Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, along with the Métis Nation British Columbia, Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Métis Nation of Ontario.
The government states in a news release this funding will go to strengthen wildfire preparedness and response through risk mapping, emergency planning, evacuation coordination and integrating Indigenous knowledge into wildfire management. Also included are investments of $450,000 for the Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government and Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, who will train up to 38 Indigenous wildland firefighters and build local skills, certifications, and response capacity.
As for the situation as it stands now, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Canada Eleanor Olszewski reported in her virtual update Thursday that Canada has had 3,127 wildfires so far this year, and there are 796 active wildfires right now, including 60 that are out of control. The total area burned so far this year is close to 1.2 million hectares.
While this season remains challenging, "it really has not reached the scale seen in 2025," Olszewski said.
"Last year, we saw fewer fires at this point in time, around 2,900, but a far more significant burned area with 4.6 million hectares burned."
Olszewski also acknowledged evacuations in a number of communities including in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and British Columbia due to wildfires.
"We know though that behind these statistics are people, families, communities, and local leaders, and we know they're facing difficult and uncertain circumstances."
For this year, the latest modeling reported from Natural Resources Canada shows elevated fire danger exists for July and August and is expected to remain highest across the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Northern Manitoba, and areas surrounding the Hudson Bay, as well as Northern Ontario and Quebec.
In August, the southern Interior of B.C. is also expected to experience higher-than-normal fire danger.
