B.C., Alberta wildfires trending upwards as dry environments prevail
Western Canada's wildfire season is well underway with scores of blazes igniting in B.C. and Alberta in recent weeks
The recent heat and ongoing dry conditions in B.C. and parts of the Prairies have led to an increase in wildfires and the overall threat of additional blazes in recent weeks.
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Canada has had 11,728 hectares of land burned to date in 2025, as of May 5, with 756 active wildfires across the country. Most of the ongoing blazes are in B.C. and Alberta. Manitoba is also seeing some wildfires arise, including a large grass blaze burning in Peguis First Nation--destroying several homes.
Below is a snapshot of the current wildfire situation in B.C. and Alberta.
B.C.:
As of Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. EDT, there are 44 active wildfires in B.C., with seven of them having been ignited in the past 24 hours. So far this year, there have been 159 blazes started 2025, burning more than 1,550 hectares.
"We urge people to refrain from conducting any open burning during this period of elevated fire danger. Please check your local weather forecast before resuming open burning this spring," said BC Wildfire Service, on its website.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, human activity is the leading cause of spring wildfires in the province (87 per cent).
Alberta:
Alberta is seeing a similar situation with its current wildfire season.
As of Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. EDT, there are 13 active wildfires--with 270 in the year so far. A total of approximately 1,940 hectares has been burned to date, with 59 per cent of the blazes started by humans.
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Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on the wildfire season across B.C. and Alberta.
Thumbnail courtesy of Alberta Wildfire/X.