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Buildings are seen from the observation deck of the CN Tower as smoke from forest fires in Northwestern Ontario blankets the city of Toronto, Thursday, July 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
By The Canadian Press

As wildfires burn coast to coast, a look at what’s happening in affected provinces

Jul 20, 2026 | 11:02 AM

More than 930 fires were burning across Canada on Monday, the national wildland fire summary shows. Many blazes continued to threaten communities in their path, especially in Ontario where evacuations have displaced approximately 1,800 people.

Here’s an overview of what is happening across the country.

ONTARIO

Premier Doug Ford says wildfires have been moving quickly in the province’s north, expanding to 735,000 hectares from 650,000 hectares burned last week.

As of Monday, there were 190 active fires, of which 56 were not under control.

Ford also said that approximately 1,800 people have been forced to leave various communities since the fires ramped up.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

The focus of the B.C. wildfire fight has partially shifted to the community of Kimberley near the Alberta boundary, where more than 8,000 residents are under evacuation alert, and are told to be ready to leave.

Mayor Don McCormick says his city is at the mercy of the winds, which were low on Monday, suppressing activity at the Matthew Creek blaze that is burning out of control about 10 kilometres away.

But the fire is burning on steep terrain, making it inaccessible to direct firefighting methods, so crews instead are trying to build containment lines between it and Kimberley to the west.

It’s among four so-called wildfires of note in B.C., where about 100 fires are burning after a surge in numbers late last week.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says about 180 fires started over just a few days when storms swept over the province, releasing 33,380 lightning strikes.

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

The Northwest Territories reports more than 200 active wildfires burning in the region, with 194 out of control.

It says seven new fires were reported as of Monday.

Environment Canada has issued very high-risk air quality warnings for parts of the Northwest Territories.

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NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia fire crews say a wildfire burning northeast of Halifax is being contained.

Officials say the Mooseland Road fire covers about 14.5 square kilometres and has not grown since Sunday.

An evacuation order for approximately 100 homes and cottages was lifted Sunday.

Two Department of Natural Resources helicopters remained at the site Monday, about 100 kilometres northwest of Halifax, to help with surveillance.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2026.

The Canadian Press




by The Canadian Press