Wildfire Damage Could Quadruple in Canada by 2100

Several years of catastrophic wildfires in Canada doesn't mean the risk has lessened. Experts predict much worse in the future.

1 minute read

June 22, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Fort McMurray Fire

Donny Ash / Shutterstock

In 2016, a wildfire devastated Fort McMurray in Alberta. In 2017, wildfires set records in British Columbia. In 2018, wildfires burned British Columbia in May.

Since the 1970s, the average area burned in Canada each year has almost doubled, according to an article by Ainslie Cruickshank and Jesse Winter. According to Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at the University of Alberta, the amount of land that burns every year in Canada could double or even quadruple by the end of the century.

Human-caused climate change is exacerbating the damage, according to Flannigan, by slowing the jet stream and allowing more high pressure zones that create the conditions for catastrophic fires.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 in The Star Vancouver

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City