If you’re looking out your window in the middle of a Canadian January and seeing nothing but snow, the question is there a fire in Canada might seem a bit out of left field. But honestly, it’s a valid one. After the record-shattering chaos of 2023 and the aggressive 2025 season that saw over 8.8 million hectares charred, Canadians are naturally a bit jumpy.
Right now, as of January 18, 2026, the short answer is: yes, but it’s complicated.
Usually, we think of "wildfire season" as a summer nightmare. You know the drill—heat waves, lightning strikes, and that eerie orange haze that settles over everything from Vancouver to Halifax. But the reality on the ground today is that Canada is currently dealing with approximately 44 active fires.
Wait. 44 fires in January?
Yeah. Most of these are what experts call "overwintering fires" or "zombie fires." They aren't the raging crown fires that make the evening news. Instead, they’re stubborn leftovers from the previous year, smoldering deep underground in the peat and duff, surviving under the snowpack like a slow-burning ember in a fireplace.
The Current State of Play: Is There a Fire in Canada?
According to the latest data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), the National Preparedness Level is currently at a 1 or 2. That’s low. It basically means most provinces have enough resources to handle what’s happening without calling in the cavalry from the US or South Africa.
But "low" doesn't mean "zero."
Most of the current activity is concentrated in the west. British Columbia and Alberta are the primary hosts for these overwintering holdouts. For example, the Peace River Forest Area in Alberta recently reported low wildfire danger thanks to heavy snow, but they’re still keeping a close eye on brush piles and old sites.
Why January Fires Are Different
In the summer, a fire is an event. In the winter, it’s a ghost.
These zombie fires are notoriously hard to kill. They thrive in drought-stressed soil. Even when the air temperature hits $-30^{\circ}C$, the ground can stay warm enough to keep a fire alive. When the spring melt happens and the wind picks up, these "ghosts" can pop back up to the surface and start a brand new blaze before the first spring rain even hits.
What the 2026 Outlook Actually Looks Like
If you’re worried about the upcoming summer, you’re looking at a mixed bag of climate signals. We are currently in a weak La Niña phase.
What does that actually mean for your backyard?
- The West: Places like the Yukon and northern BC have seen temperatures $7-10^{\circ}C$ below normal this winter. That’s good news. Cold and wet usually means a slower start to the fire season.
- The East: It’s a different story. Parts of Eastern Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are still dealing with moderate to extreme drought conditions.
- The Snowpack: While Kapuskasing, Ontario, is buried under double its usual snow depth, southern BC and parts of the Maritimes have seen less than 25% of their regular snowfall.
Less snow means the ground dries out faster in April. And dry ground is basically kindling.
Real Examples of What We’re Seeing
Let's get specific. In Nova Scotia, the Wildfire Dashboard recently showed at least one active fire still being monitored. In Ontario, the official fire season doesn't even start until April 1, but the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is already recruiting FireRangers for 2026 because they know the window for preparation is shrinking.
Last year, the 2025 season was brutal for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Over 2 million hectares burned in Manitoba alone. Those scars on the landscape take years to heal, and some of those areas are still "hot" under the surface today.
Basically, the "fire season" isn't a six-month window anymore. It’s becoming a year-round management headache.
How to Stay Ahead of the Smoke
If you’re planning a camping trip or just live near a forested area, don't wait for July to check the maps.
Honestly, the best thing you can do right now is use the tools that the pros use. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) provides daily maps that show exactly where smoke is drifting and where the hot spots are. If you’re in a province like BC or Alberta, download their specific wildfire apps—they give you push notifications the second an "out of control" fire is spotted near your GPS location.
Practical Steps for Right Now
- Check your local muni rules: Even though there isn't a national fire ban in January, many municipalities have their own bylaws about backyard burning or brush clearing.
- FireSmart your property: This is the best time to clear out dead needles from your gutters and move that woodpile away from your house.
- Monitor air quality: If you have asthma or heart issues, keep an eye on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). Even winter fires can occasionally "burp" smoke into nearby valleys.
- Don't panic, but be prepared: Have a basic "go-bag" ready. It sounds paranoid until you’re the one being told you have two hours to leave.
The question of is there a fire in Canada isn't just about today; it's about how the current snow (or lack of it) is setting the stage for May. Keep an eye on the drought maps in the Prairies. If those red zones don't turn green by April, we’re in for a long summer.
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Stay informed by checking the CIFFC national situation reports, which will begin their regular daily updates as the spring thaw approaches.