2023 Canadian wildfires facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2023 Canadian wildfires
Top-to-bottom, left-to-right: Wildfires in Quebec Enterprise, Northwest Territories after being burnt to the ground Wildfire smoke in Calgary Wildfire smoke in Ontario Map of carbon monoxide concentration caused by wildfire smoke
Location	Canada (all 13 provinces and territories) and subsequent spillover into the Northern United States
Statistics
Total fires	6,551 (as of October 6, 2023)
Total area	18.496 million ha (45.70 million acres) (as of October 6, 2023)
Date(s)	March 1, 2023 — November 2023
Deaths	8
Evacuated	185,000–232,000
Season
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In 2023, Canada experienced a record-breaking series of wildfires. These fires started in March and grew much stronger by June. All 13 of Canada's provinces and territories were affected. Some of the hardest-hit areas included Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

The 2023 wildfire season burned more land than any other season in Canada's recorded history. It also surpassed previous records for North America. By October 6, 2023, over 6,500 fires had burned more than 184,961 square kilometres (71,414 sq mi) of land. This was about 5% of Canada's total forest area. Many people, between 185,000 and 232,000, had to leave their homes for safety. Brave firefighters from Canada and other countries worked hard to control the blazes.

The smoke from these wildfires traveled far. It caused air quality warnings and evacuations in Canada and the United States. By late June 2023, the smoke even crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reached Europe. While many large fires were controlled by July, some continued into the fall. Dry weather conditions also made the situation worse. Some fires even smoldered underground through the winter, causing new fires in 2024.

Understanding Wildfires

Why Wildfires Happen

Wildfires in Canada have changed over time. Since the 1970s, the total number of fires has gone down. However, the amount of land burned has actually increased. Fire seasons are also lasting longer, by about two weeks on average.

The 2023 fire season was made worse by climate change. This means changes in Earth's weather patterns, partly caused by human activities. Temperatures in Canada from May to October 2023 were much higher than usual. This warmer, drier weather led to drought and very dry plants, which catch fire easily. Scientists believe climate change made the conditions for these fires much more likely and intense.

About half of all wildfires in Canada start from lightning. As the climate changes, lightning strikes are happening more often. These natural fires often occur in remote areas. The other half of fires are caused by people, often by accident. This can include things like forgotten campfires or sparks from vehicles.

How Forests are Managed

The way forests are managed also plays a role. For a long time, Canada focused on stopping all fires. This meant that dry plants and wood built up on the forest floor. This extra fuel made fires much bigger and more dangerous when they did start.

Historically, Indigenous groups used controlled burns to keep forests healthy. These are small, planned fires that clear out dry material. However, it has become harder to get permission for these helpful burns. Canada also does not have one big national firefighting service. Local firefighting teams often struggle with limited resources.

Wildfires Across Canada

The area burned in 2023 was more than twice that of any year since 1983. The 2023 Canadian wildfires released a lot of carbon into the air, more than many countries' yearly fossil fuel emissions.

Alberta Wildfires

Alberta, covered in wildfire smoke (May 2023)

In May 2023, Alberta was hit hardest by wildfires. Most large fires there were started by lightning. On May 6, Alberta declared a province-wide emergency. By the end of the fire season, Alberta had 1088 fires that burned over 2,222,900 hectares (5,492,906 acres) of land.

Major Fires in Alberta

The Long Lake Fire was the biggest fire in Alberta during 2023. It burned over 108,402 hectares (267,867 acres). This fire spread quickly, causing the community of Rainbow Lake to be surrounded by flames. Firefighters from Alberta, Alaska, and Ontario worked together to stop its growth.

Another large fire, the Paskwa Fire, burned over 35,285 hectares (87,191 acres). It affected the community of Fox Lake, where many buildings were destroyed. Extreme weather made it very difficult for firefighters to control this blaze.

British Columbia Wildfires

Kiskatinaw River wildfire in British Columbia (June 2023)

British Columbia had very little rain in May and early June 2023, which made wildfire conditions worse. Most fires in BC were caused by natural events, but some were due to human activity. In total, BC had 2293 fires that burned over 2,840,104 hectares (7,018,050 acres).

One of the biggest fires was the Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern BC. It became the largest single wildfire in BC's history, burning over 5,648 square kilometers.

Later in August, very destructive fires hit the southern Interior region. The Bush Creek East wildfire and the McDougall Creek wildfire caused a lot of damage to homes and forced many people to evacuate. These two fires together caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

Donnie Creek fire (May 2023)

Manitoba Wildfires

As of June 2023, Manitoba had fewer fires than usual. Most of these fires were caused by lightning. Officials focused on monitoring and containing fires near several First Nation communities, including Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi First Nation, and St. Theresa Point First Nation.

New Brunswick Wildfires

New Brunswick experienced 177 wildfires by June 7, 2023. A fire near Saint Andrews was brought under control after starting in late May.

Newfoundland and Labrador Wildfires

Newfoundland and Labrador saw many more wildfires in early 2023 compared to the previous year, due to dry conditions. However, wet weather in early June helped reduce the fire risk. This allowed firefighters from Newfoundland to help other provinces like Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.

Northwest Territories Wildfires

Enterprise, Northwest Territories after the wildfires (August 2023)

Wildfires surrounding Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (August 2023)

By August 2023, there were over 230 wildfires in the Northwest Territories. Some fires came very close to Yellowknife, the capital city. This led to a large evacuation order for Yellowknife and nearby communities. The fires also disrupted phone and internet services, making evacuations even harder.

Nova Scotia Wildfires

Plume of smoke from Nova Scotia's Barrington Lake wildfire (May 2023)

Nova Scotia experienced the largest wildfires in its history in 2023. Most fires in Nova Scotia are caused by human activity. In suburban Halifax, about 200 buildings were destroyed. The Barrington Lake fire in Shelburne County was the largest ever recorded in Nova Scotia, covering 230 square kilometres (89 sq mi).

Barrington Lake Wildfire

Barrington Lake wildfire

This major wildfire started around May 27, 2023. It burned about 23,015 hectares (56,871 acres) and destroyed many buildings. Around 5,000 people had to evacuate their homes. Firefighters from the U.S. and Costa Rica came to help fight this massive fire.

Tantallon Wildfire

Another big wildfire started in the Tantallon area on May 28, 2023. It spread quickly and burned through 950 hectares (2,300 acres). About 16,400 people were ordered to evacuate. Around 151 houses were destroyed. The Canadian military and heavy rain helped to contain this fire.

Ontario Wildfires

Comparison of smoke over Toronto during May and June.

Smoke from the wildfires caused very poor air quality in Ottawa, Toronto, and much of Southern Ontario in June 2023. The air quality reached dangerous levels, forcing many outdoor activities and events to be cancelled. Toronto's air quality was sometimes among the worst in the world.

Quebec Wildfires

The Port of Quebec in Quebec City covered in wildfire smoke (25 June 2023)

Quebec was severely affected by the 2023 wildfires, with more fires and less experience fighting them than in the past. It had the most land burned of any province, with 5.2 million ha (13 million acres). By June 25, 2023, Montreal had the worst air quality in the world due to the smoke. Many cultural and sporting events were cancelled.

Saskatchewan Wildfires

Wildfires in Saskatchewan (June 2023)

Saskatchewan also had a dry spring in 2023, increasing the risk of wildfires. By May 25, the province had seen 187 fires. Firefighters faced challenges due to thick smoke, which made it hard to travel and monitor the fires. Some communities lost power because of nearby fires.

Impacts of the Wildfires

Evacuations and Displacements

Many people had to leave their homes because of the fires. Estimates show that between 185,000 and 232,000 people were displaced. This included thousands in Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories.

Evacuations Across Canada

• In Alberta, over 29,000 people were evacuated by May 7, 2023. The Canadian Armed Forces helped with these efforts. Communities like Drayton Valley and Fox Creek were evacuated.
• In British Columbia, thousands of residents had to leave their homes. In August 2023, the city of West Kelowna was evacuated due to the McDougall Creek wildfire. Over 35,000 people were under evacuation orders.
• In Manitoba, about 7,000 members of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation were evacuated in May 2023.
• In the Northwest Territories, communities like Hay River and Enterprise were evacuated in May and August 2023. The capital city, Yellowknife, also received an evacuation order in August, affecting about 22,000 people. Many residents were flown out by plane.
• In Nova Scotia, 16,000 residents were evacuated from Halifax in late May 2023. Around 5,000 people from Shelburne County also had to leave their homes.
• In Quebec, 14,000 residents were evacuated by June 4, 2023. This included 7,500 people from Chibougamau, the largest town in Northern Quebec.
• In Saskatchewan, 535 residents of Buffalo Narrows evacuated in May 2023. Many other communities also received support for evacuees.

Economic Effects

The wildfires had a big impact on Canada's economy. Oil companies had to slow down production, which affected oil prices. Many businesses suffered due to evacuations and road closures. Tourist areas, especially in British Columbia, saw fewer visitors. The fires cost Canada billions of dollars.

Environmental and Health Effects

A map of Canada and the United States showing the number of days where PM2.5 levels exceeded safe limits.

The smoke from the wildfires caused widespread health concerns. It released a lot of carbon into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. This creates a "vicious cycle" where warmer temperatures lead to more fires, which then release more gases that cause more warming.

The smoke contained tiny particles that can be harmful to breathe. Many people in North America and Europe experienced days with unhealthy air quality. The smoke caused health problems for many people, especially those with breathing difficulties.

Impacts on the United States

The Empire State Building seen from the ground on June 7

The fires in Canada had a big impact on the United States. Air quality dropped to dangerous levels in many states, leading to school closures and cancelled events. Reduced visibility caused flight delays and slower speed limits on roads. Cities like New York City and Chicago sometimes had the worst air quality in the world.

Smoke Across the US

• In May 2023, smoke from Alberta and Saskatchewan caused poor air quality in states like Minnesota, Colorado, and Montana.
• In June 2023, smoke from Quebec wildfires drifted into the Northeastern United States. This triggered air quality alerts in New York, Connecticut, and other states. Solar power production dropped significantly due to the smoke blocking sunlight. New York City experienced its worst air quality in decades. Many outdoor events were cancelled, and schools switched to online learning.

New York City skyline on June 6, as seen from Hoboken

The Statue of Liberty on June 7

Wildfire smoke in Minneapolis on June 14

Impacts on Europe

Smoke over Spain and Portugal on June 27

The wildfire smoke also traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. By late June 2023, it reached countries like France, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. While the smoke was high in the atmosphere and did not affect air quality as much as in the US, it did create hazy skies and more colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Firefighter Heroes

Sadly, some brave firefighters lost their lives while battling these dangerous fires. They were working to protect communities and save homes. Their courage and dedication helped many people during this difficult time.

Government Responses

Canadian Government Actions

Governments across Canada worked to respond to the wildfires.

• In Alberta, the government of Yukon sent firefighters to help. The Canadian Armed Forces also assisted.
• In British Columbia, campfire bans were put in place. Fire crews from five different countries came to help. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Armed Forces would help with evacuations.
• In Manitoba, travel restrictions were put in place in some areas to prevent new fires.
• In the Northwest Territories, the Canadian government and the local government worked together to help people affected by the fires. Highways were closed, and many people had to be airlifted out of dangerous areas.

Vehicles driving out of NWT; forests on left side of road had burnt down

• In Nova Scotia, all open fires and activities like hiking and camping in forests were banned to prevent new fires. Firefighters from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador came to assist. The provincial government also provided financial help to evacuated families and farmers.
• In Saskatchewan, a fire ban was put in place, and financial aid was offered to residents affected by power outages.

Future Fire Strategies

The Canadian government is planning ways to better prepare for future wildfires. These plans include:

• Training more Indigenous firefighters and fire guardians.
• Teaching firefighters how to deal with fires near towns and cities.
• Launching a special satellite (WildFireSat) to monitor fires from space.
• Doing more research on how to reduce fire risks.
• Creating a special center to improve wildfire management.
• Growing the Canadian Armed Forces to help more with disasters.

Other Important Information

Global Help

Many countries sent help to Canada during the 2023 wildfires. Firefighters and other personnel came from places like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, France, Spain, Portugal, Chile, and Costa Rica. This global effort showed how countries can work together during big emergencies.

News and Information

During the wildfires, some people found it difficult to get news and updates on certain social media platforms. This caused concern, especially for those who relied on these platforms for emergency information.

False Information

During the wildfires, some false rumors spread online about how the fires started. These rumors were not true and caused confusion. It's important to always get information from trusted sources, like official government agencies and news organizations.

Fire Progression

Images for kids

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  Enterprise, Northwest Territories after being burnt to the ground

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  Wildfire smoke in Calgary

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  Wildfire smoke in Ontario

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  Map of carbon monoxide concentration caused by wildfire smoke

See also

In Spanish: Incendios forestales en Canadá de 2023 para niños

• List of disasters in Canada
• List of fires in Canada