How Canadians can prepare for the possibility of a wildfire

CTV News

17-05-2025

Paul Boissonneault from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs discusses how to stay safe during the 2025 wildfire season.
As wildfires become more frequent across Canada, one expert is urging the public to take necessary precautions, saying that even simple steps can help reduce risk and improve safety during wildfire season.
'The 2025 wildfire season is already upon us. We've already had 1,150 wildfires take place in Canada this year,' Paul Boissonneault, secretary for Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, told CTV Your Morning on Friday. 'To suggest that we're in an unprecedented fire season simply cannot be stated anymore.'
Boissonneault says that precautions can start with small actions, urging people to clear debris in their houses and stay alert to firework risks.
'We're heading into the Victoria Day weekend and we'd ask (people) that they don't operate professional fireworks,' Boissonneault added. 'Leave those to the professionals who have their certifications and training.'
This week, wildfires in Manitoba have prompted the mayor of a rural municipality to warn residents to stay indoors, as firefighters worked to contain the situation.
'If you're in Winnipeg and wondering what's going on, please don't come out. Stay where you are,' RM of Alexander Mayor Jack Brisco said Friday morning. RCMP confirmed two people have died in Manitoba wildfires.
Many Ontarians will remember the devastating 2023 wildfires. That year, 441,000 hectares of forests burned between April and October, an area slightly than Prince Edward Island. That was nearly three times more than the 10-year average, according to provincial data. The wildfires were so severe that the province sought help from firefighters from the U.S. and Mexico.
During a wildfire, there are measures one can take to protect against harmful smoke.
Boissonneault says N95 masks, commonly used during the COVID-19 lockdowns, can provide protection against dangerous airborne particles.
When such protection is not available, he said 'you can certainly wet pieces of clothing and cover your face to try and get through smoke.'
What to take during an evacuation?
'You take the bare essentials,' Boissonneault said. 'You need to take things that are extremely important to you.' That could include critical medications, non-perishable food items and flashlights, among others.
He also points to a useful resource called 'Be FireSmart,' a wildfire emergency preparation plan accessible to the public that contains useful tips.