2023's Canadian wildfire season, covering an area nearly as large as Italy, was predominantly triggered by lightning-induced fires, which ignited 90% of the burned area.

2023's destructive Canadian wildfire season, affecting an area nearly as large as Italy, was mostly triggered by lightning-induced fires, despite lightning accounting for just 59% of the 6,700 ignitions. Lightning-caused fires led to 90% of the burned area due to their tendency to ignite large fires in difficult-to-control areas. Drought, high-pressure systems, and climate change further fueled the extreme wildfire season.