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Uncontainable wildfires tipping Canada towards record season

Uncontainable wildfires tipping Canada towards record season
Uncontainable wildfires tipping Canada towards record season

__Visit [The Weather Network's wildfire hub](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/explore/wildfire) to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Canada.__

With rampant wildfires popping up across the country in recent weeks, the federal government delivered an update Monday on the ongoing situation and what to expect going forward through the summer.

The news on both fronts isn't good.

"Our modelling shows this may be an especially severe wildfire season throughout this summer," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at a news conference. "This is a scary time for a lot of people, not just in Alberta, but right across the country, including in the Atlantic, the North and Quebec, too."

SEE ALSO: Top five ways human-caused wildfires start

As for what's already occurred, Canada has seen 2,214 wildfires so far this year -- burning an estimated 3.3. million hectares, according to Bill Blair, Canada's Emergency Preparedness Minister. As of Sunday afternoon, there are 413 fires burning across the country, with 249 of them still considered to be out of control.

Eighteen of the fires are impacting First Nations communities: Six in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, one in N.W.T, four in Quebec and two in Nova Scotia.

statsfinal
statsfinal

As of June 4, an estimated 26,000 people remain under evacuation orders in British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

The 10-year average during the same timeframe was 1,624 fires and 254,429 hectares burned, according to Mike Norton, director general of the Northern Forestry Centre at the Department of Natural Resources.

WATCH: Tips to help protect yourself from wildfire smoke

He told the media at the press conference that the number of fires occurring at this time of year isn't normal, also advising Canadians to exert "extreme care" in forested regions.

This month, the fire threat is deemed to be well above average countrywide with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador, where it is considered average.

severity2
severity2

Despite the grim outlook, Trudeau said Canada should have sufficient resources get through the summer. He noted the government has signed off on aid requests from Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec, and has agreed to sending Canadian Armed Forces troops.

"If things get worse, we are developing contingency plans and we will of course make sure that we are there, whether it's leaning more on international supports, whether it's standing up other resources," said Trudeau.

"We will be there to ensure all Canadians are protected right through this summer."

spring fires
spring fires

Thumbnail showing the magnitude of the fire in Shelbourne County, N.S, is courtesy of Communications Nova Scotia.

With files from CBC News.

WATCH: N.S. dog trainer evacuates 18 dogs during wildfire chaos

Click here to view the video