A wildfire is seen burning about 16 kilometres south of Port Alberni, B.C., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Hammond
By The Canadian Press

Federal officials set to give wildfire season update as blaze threatens B.C. town

Jul 9, 2026 | 1:00 AM

OTTAWA — Federal officials are set to provide an update about the national wildfire season today, as an out-of-control fire in British Columbia forced evacuations this week.

The latest information from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows there have been 3,100 fires so far this season, compared to around 2,900 at this time last year.

But the total area burned this year is less than last year, at around 12,000 square kilometres down from 46,000 square kilometres.

Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski and other officials are set to give a briefing to update the situation.

In B.C., a pair of fires near the community of Boston Bar have forced hundreds of properties under evacuation orders and alerts.

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The 2025 wildfire season was the second-worst on record, with more than 89,000 square kilometres burned across the country.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press staff

by The Canadian Press

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