This could be Canada's 2nd-worst wildfire season

The area burned by wildfires so far this season is the second-largest on record in Canada, according to government data.

Officials with Public Safety Canada held a technical briefing this morning in Ottawa to update media outlets on the state of multiple wildfires.

They say the greatest fire danger in July is expected to be in southern British Columbia, while the Northwest Territories and Yukon will face an increased risk of wildfires.

This year's fire season — the second worst since the 2023 wildfire season — has seen wildfires consume 3.7 million hectares, six times the area of Prince Edward Island.

The 10-year average for wildfire seasons by this time in June is about 800,000 hectares.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting higher-than-normal temperatures across the country through August, especially in provinces east of Manitoba — though the risk of wildfires remains highest in central and western provinces and territories.

WATCH | Minister questioned about Canada's lack of national emergency response agency:

Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience, said the government is 'looking at' its options to better respond to emergencies. She was asked why there is no national emergency response agency two years after the worst Canadian wildfire season on record.