TORONTO: Forest fires burned across Canada on Thursday, as the country experienced its worst-ever start to the wildfire season, displacing thousands of people and sending a smoky cloud billowing across U.S. cities.
According to federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, around 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have already burnt, which is roughly 15 times the 10-year average. Warm, dry weather was forecast to remain in the next months, Reuters said.
Wildfires are regular in Canada
Although wildfires are regular in Canada, it is unusual for blazes to be raging in both the east and west at the same time, stretching firefighting resources and causing the Canadian government to call in the military for assistance. Hundreds of US firefighters have landed in Canada to help, with more on their way.
Climate change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed climate change. He said that these fires are affecting everyday routines, lives, and livelihoods, as well as their air quality. Some of the worst fires have erupted in Quebec’s eastern province, forcing almost 11,000 residents to flee their homes. The Alberta wildfire season began unusually early last month and destroyed a record area, while Nova Scotia is still fighting its largest-ever inferno.
In parts of the Pacific province of British Columbia, temperatures were forecast to hit 33 Celsius on Thursday, before heavy rains and thunderstorms arrive on Friday. Executive director of BC Wildfire, Rob Schweitzer, said lightning strikes could spark more blazes in dry forests and the outcome would depend on how much precipitation comes with the storms.