In 2024, approximately 5.37 million hectares were burned, almost twice the 25-year average of 2.9 million hectares, as illustrated in the first chart below.
The second graph on the right shows air pollutant concentration in Canada. Wildfire smoke is measured in PM 2.5, which is particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller. This small size allows the particulates to travel to the lungs, cross the blood brain barrier & enter the brain. According to the Canadian National Fire Database, in 2023 more than 14 million hectares across Canada were affected by wildfires, as illustrated in this graph.
Canada, N. R. (2025). The State of Canada’s Forests: Annual Report 2025 - Natural Resources Canada. Canada.Ca. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forests-forestry/state-canada-forests/state-canada-s-forests-annual-report-2025#_Indicator_:_Forest_10
Government of Canada. (2020, April 15). Air quality. Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/air-quality.html
CHANGING PLANET - WILDFIRE SMOKES IN THE USA
Wildfire smoke is measured in PM 2.5, which is particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller. This small size particulates can travel to the lungs, cross the blood brain barrier & enter the brain. This illustration shows the increase in smoke concentration in the US over the years.
Increasing Impacts of Wildfire Smoke | US EPA. (2025, August 5). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/increasing-impacts-wildfire-smoke