Annual PM2.5 emissions from wildfires in Canada
Canada: Annual PM2.5 emissions from wildfires was 1.33 million tonnes in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual PM2.5 emissions from wildfires in Canada, 2003–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Canada recorded 1.33 million tonnes for annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires in 2026.
That represents a change of down 77.9% on the previous year and up 65.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires in Canada peaked at 10.71 million tonnes in 2023 and was at its lowest, 206,003 tonnes, in 2020.
Canada ranks 2nd of 248 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.24 million tonnes | 659,190 tonnes | 1.85 million tonnes | 7 |
| 2010s | 1.88 million tonnes | 804,039 tonnes | 3.15 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.81 million tonnes | 206,003 tonnes | 10.71 million tonnes | 7 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 1 Russia 1.62 million tonnes compare
- 3 Democratic Republic of Congo 1.22 million tonnes compare
- 4 Angola 502,410 tonnes compare
- 5 United States 450,253 tonnes compare
More climate change data for Canada
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.5% (2100)
- Population growth 0.9% (2025)
- Population, total 41.65 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 1.2% (2025)
- Urban population 34.52 million (2025)
- Urban population 82.9% (2025)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita 13.42 tonnes per person (2024)
- Cumulative CO₂ emissions 35.64 billion tonnes (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita 13.42 tonnes per person (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. share of electricity generation from renewables 13.42 tonnes per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires in Canada?
- Annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires in Canada was 1.33 million tonnes in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 10.71 million tonnes in 2023.
- What is the lowest annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 206,003 tonnes in 2020.
- How does Canada rank for annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires?
- Canada ranks 2nd out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual pm2.5 emissions from wildfires rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 65.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual PM2.5 emissions from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
PM2.5 emissions represent the quantity of fine particulate matter (diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) released by wildfires, in tonnes. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 07 August 2026.