Ottawa, Oct. 16 -- Wildfires burned about 4.5 million hectares across Canada this year and forced more than 33,750 people from their homes since April, the federal government said on Thursday.

About 8,800 of those evacuated were from First Nations communities. Several fires are still burning, though the department said the situation on the ground has improved significantly.

The season started slower than average before prolonged heat, drought and low humidity drove significant activity in several regions, the department said. Northwestern Ontario and southern British Columbia saw sustained fires that threatened communities and critical infrastructure.

The Northwest Territories accounted for more than a third of the total area burned in...