Ottawa wildfires: What can we expect this year? [Video]

Last summer’s smoky skies could make a return this year, as officials say Canada is on track for a repeat of the 2023 wildfire season – the worst on record.

In Ottawa, wildfire smoke blanketed the capital several times last summer and there were multiple open air fire bans and even concerns Canada Day fireworks could trigger a blaze.

This year has been drier than normal, with below-average precipitation in January, February and March, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada data. January saw 84 per cent of the normal monthly precipitation typically seen in the capital, February saw just 29 per cent of the usual amount of snow and rain, and March was at 61 per cent of the normal level. To date, April has seen 16.9 millimetres of rain and 19.6 centimetres of snow.