Canada is facing another potentially catastrophic wildfire season this year due to widespread drought conditions and a forecast of hotter temperatures than average, the Canadian government warned on Wednesday. This comes after the country experienced its worst-ever wildfire season last year, which saw over 6,500 fires burning across the country and resulted in the deaths of eight firefighters. The smoke from these fires traveled across the eastern United States, enveloping cities like New York in a sepia haze and prompting air quality advisories.
Canadian Minister for Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan expressed concern over the temperature trends this year, stating that he believes the wildfire season will start earlier, end later, and potentially be more explosive. Alberta and British Columbia are expected to face extreme drought conditions, while other provinces like Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec are also expected to experience abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.
The Canadian government’s forecast of weather trends for this year, including metrics for drought and temperatures, suggests that the country may be facing another catastrophic fire season. The warmest winter on record in Canada, with temperatures 5.2 degrees Celsius higher than the historical average between December and February, has raised alarms about the heightened risk of wildfires. Public Safety Canada has warned that eastern Ontario and southern Quebec are likely to experience early, above-normal fire activity in April and May.
Last year, a total of 18 million hectares burned across Canada, an area more than six times larger than the annual average. This led to the evacuation of 230,000 people from their homes and prompted air quality advisories in several states across the U.S. Officials warned about the health risks posed by the “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” air quality resulting from the smoke, particularly for people with respiratory issues. New York City briefly became the most polluted city in the world as a result of the wildfire smoke enveloping the region.
Minister Sajjan highlighted the significant challenge that wildfires present for Canada in the face of intensifying impacts of climate change. While he acknowledged the difficulty of predicting the summer ahead, he emphasized the need to be prepared for the potential threats posed by wildfires. The Canadian government, along with provincial authorities, is gearing up for what could be another devastating fire season, urging residents to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the evolving situation. As the impacts of climate change continue to grow, it is clear that wildfires will remain a crucial issue for Canada in the future.
