The wildfires raging through parts of western Canada are evoking memories of a similar situation that occurred in Quebec in 2023. Montreal and other areas of the province were engulfed in smoke, with towns further north being evacuated due to the fires. The big question on everyone’s minds is what to expect this year. Evelyne Thiffault, a professor of forest ecology and management at Université Laval, believes that this year will not be as catastrophic as the previous one. She predicts that there will be more moisture and less severe drought conditions in Quebec compared to last year, providing hope for a less destructive summer.
While Quebec may be looking at a better wildfire situation this year, the situation in western Canada is severe. Drought conditions in Manitoba, B.C., and Alberta have led to multiple communities issuing emergency evacuation orders and alerts due to wildfires. Some fires have been burning since the winter. Thiffault notes that the west has been experiencing a drought since last year, making the situation much more dire than in Quebec. Despite the moist spring in Quebec, there have already been over 80 fires in the province this year, all caused by human activity. SOPFEU, Quebec’s forest fire fighting agency, is prepared for the upcoming fire season and is boosted by new funding that will allow for the hiring of 160 new personnel in the coming years.
However, as fire season approaches, a labor conflict is brewing. UNIFOR Quebec director Daniel Cloutier highlights the high turnover rate at SOPFEU, with firefighters feeling overworked and underpaid. Negotiations are ongoing to address concerns over wages, with workers voting in favor of a strike last week. Despite this, as an essential service, SOPFEU cannot strike and will continue to work to prevent wildfires and keep Quebec safe. The agency is determined to ensure that Quebec does not suffer the same fate as western Canada, where devastating fires have been burning for months.
While clear, sunny skies are typically preferred, wet weather throughout the spring will help prevent fires from igniting and spreading. Thiffault emphasizes the importance of adequate moisture levels in preventing drought conditions that fuel wildfires. With the support of new funding and additional personnel, SOPFEU is prepared to tackle any fires that may arise in Quebec this summer. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the agency remains committed to protecting the province and preventing a repeat of the catastrophic events that occurred in 2023.
