Canada has recently faced a new wildfire incident in British Columbia, reflecting the nation's ongoing struggle with forest fires and tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Canada has seen a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss, with forestry and wildfires being the primary drivers. The total area of tree cover loss reached a peak in 2015, with over 2.70 million hectares affected, representing a substantial portion of the country's emissions from tree cover loss.
The analysis of historical data shows that wildfires have consistently been a major factor, contributing to millions of hectares of tree cover loss and a significant amount of gross emissions. In 2022 alone, wildfires accounted for over 55% of the total tree cover loss. The net change in tree cover over the years has been negative, with a 2.76% decrease, indicating that the gains in tree cover are not keeping pace with the losses.
Explore country profileUrbanization, while contributing to a smaller fraction of the loss, has been a steady presence, indicating an ongoing expansion of urban areas into forested regions. Shifting agriculture has had a minimal impact in comparison to other drivers. The data underscores the challenges Canada faces in managing its vast forest resources amidst the pressures of natural disasters and human activities.
