🔥 Canada faces another devastating wildfire season, federal government warns

The federal government says Canada could face another destructive wildfire season because of an unusually warm winter, widespread drought conditions and a forecast of above-normal temperatures in the months ahead.

Officials said during a technical briefing Wednesday that more dry, hot weather is expected this spring and summer, putting much of the country at greater risk of wildfires.

Several regions, including southern Quebec, eastern Ontario and Western Canada, have higher than usual likelihood of fire in April. Risks extend into May and through the summer, though officials stressed much depends on the level of precipitation during this period.

"It is impossible to predict the summer that lies ahead of us, but what is clear is that wildfires will represent a significant challenge for Canada into the future as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify. And the costs to Canadians are growing every single year," said Harjit Sajjan, the minister of emergency preparedness.