Early Fire Season Conditions Spring 2026

As we move into the 2026 fire season, conditions across Atlantic Canada are showing an earlier-than-usual start in some areas. New Brunswick is currently leading with 68 reported fires, while Nova Scotia has not yet recorded any fire starts.

Nationally, there have been 174 fires to date, affecting approximately 1,496 hectares, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Ground conditions in Nova Scotia remain dry following below-average moisture levels carried over from last fall. This has resulted in reduced surface moisture in forest fuels, which can allow fires to start and spread more easily once ignition sources are present.

While activity in Nova Scotia has been limited so far, the current drying trend highlights the importance of early-season preparedness and property-level risk reduction.