More than 200 wildfires remained out of control across Canada on Friday, with the most critical situation unfolding in the province of Ontario. Smoke from the fires is affecting millions of residents across the northeastern United States.
According to the latest data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), 206 wildfires were classified as out of control out of a total of 896 active fires nationwide. An additional 70 new wildfires were reported during the day.
Canada’s 2026 wildfire season is considered less severe than the record-breaking and devastating 2023 season, but fire activity has intensified significantly over the past week.
According to the latest figures from the Canadian federal government, nearly 28 million hectares have burned so far in 2026. Just one week earlier, that figure stood at nearly 16 million hectares.
The situation is especially critical in Ontario, where more than 80 wildfires remain out of control. The province requested federal assistance on Thursday, and firefighters from other provinces, including Alberta and Yukon, have been deployed to support containment efforts.
More than 80 firefighting aircraft and helicopters have been assigned to Ontario to help battle the fires. An additional 39 aircraft are on standby to reach remote areas inaccessible by road and carry out emergency evacuations of residents, primarily from Indigenous communities, according to Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Smoke carried by strong winds has caused a severe deterioration in air quality across Toronto and much of the northeastern United States.
According to air quality data compiled by Swiss company IQAir, cities including Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. were among those recording some of the worst air pollution levels in the world.
