A map generated by Natural Resources Canada to identify fire risk areas across Canada has shown that Saskatchewan has the largest area of “extreme fire risk” in the country.

Most of Saskatchewan was identified as having “extreme fire risk”; the affected area covered nearly all of southern and central Saskatchewan, as well as much of the northern parts of the province.

The most recent wildfire activity in the province supports these findings.

CBC News, which first reported Natural Resources Canada’s findings, noted that as of August 03, most of Saskatchewan’s 129 currently active wildfires were centred in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, particularly the northeast.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency also reported that there were 18 fires in the province that crews are trying to contain, but are expected to grow.

Temperature readings in the area also indicate how vulnerable the region is to brushfire.

Meteorological firm Weatherlogics noted that at least 10 communities in Saskatchewan had a July that was among their top five driest on record. These communities include Prince Albert, Melfort and Nipawin – all three reported their driest July ever. Meanwhile, Saskatoon had its fourth-hottest July and its eighth-driest, while Regina posted its fifth-hottest and 25th-driest July.

There is no province-wide fire ban in Saskatchewan as of August 03, CBC News reported, but over 200 rural municipalities, urban municipalities, and provincial parks had restrictions.