With wildfires out of control in Canada, authorities urge creation of National Wildfire Agency

Canada is battling one of its most intense and prolonged wildfire seasons on record, with over 7.3 million hectares scorched nationwide. As wildfires rage from coast to coast, experts and officials are urgently calling for the establishment of a national wildfire agency to better coordinate resources and response efforts.

Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, told CTV News that wildfire seasons have only worsened in recent years. “The benefit of a national administration is really around coordination and the reallocation of resources all across Canada in times when they need it the most,” he said. McMullen emphasized the need for a federal body that allows fire chiefs to have a direct role in shaping fire-related policy and managing resources efficiently.

Season that keeps getting worse

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan announced on Sunday(August 10) that one of the province’s major wildfires had surged from 3,000 to over 5,000 hectares overnight, fueled by hot temperatures and high winds. The fire threatens to reach communities like Ochre Pit Cove, with reports of multiple structures impacted, though officials are still verifying the full extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region, fire crews are battling a 27-hectare blaze in the Burnt River area, where downed trees from a recent ice storm have made conditions particularly hazardous.

On the west coast, the BC Wildfire Service continues to fight the out-of-control Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island, using night-vision helicopters and drones to monitor hotspots. Despite minimal overnight growth, hot and dry conditions persist, raising concerns of increased smoke for nearby communities.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there are currently more than 700 active wildfires across Canada. Many experts have described this year’s wildfire season as the second-worst on record after 2023.

Flannigan has long advocated for a national wildfire agency, distinct from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ calls, which would have the power and resources to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment anywhere in the country.

While provinces and territories share responsibility for fire management and often assist one another, delays in deploying resources can cost precious time. For example, Quebec firefighters and aircraft have taken days to arrive in Alberta during recent fires, hampering effective containment efforts.

In Newfoundland, despite assistance from New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario, some crucial assets have been delayed or canceled due to maintenance issues or commitments fighting fires elsewhere.

Canada’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Community Resilience acknowledged the challenges ahead in a statement, citing ongoing efforts to improve wildfire response through better coordination and resilience-building initiatives.

McMullen added that while national coordination efforts exist, much of the wildfire battle begins locally, often stretching municipal firefighters who are increasingly relied upon to support wildland firefighting efforts.