Canada's wildfires could continue into fall, says government

Canada is facing its second-worst wildfire season on record, with 7.8 million hectares already burned, and the fires could persist for weeks, according to federal officials.

Warmer-than-usual weather forecasted for southern British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan until the end of September poses a significant risk of new fires in these already dry regions. Julienne Morissette of Natural Resources Canada noted that current fires have a "high likelihood" of continuing into autumn due to the above-average temperatures.

The wildfires have also impacted Atlantic provinces such as Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, driven by unusual dryness. However, more than 60% of the burned areas are in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Since 2023, more than 25 million hectares of land across Canada have been scorched, generating large smoke plumes that have spread to much of the United States. U.S. politicians have voiced concerns about the smoke disrupting summer activities and vacations.

The wildfire seasons have led to mass evacuations, particularly in northern Canada, where many Indigenous communities are located. Around 13,000 people from First Nations remain away from their homes, and military aircraft assisted in transporting residents to shelters, including hotel rooms far from home, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Some communities still need infrastructure repairs due to the damage caused by fire and smoke, making it difficult for evacuees to return.

Federal officials attribute the worsening wildfire risk to climate change, with warmer temperatures and longer snow-free seasons increasing the potential for fires. Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the minister of energy and natural resources, emphasised that fires have become a year-round threat, urging Canadians to be proactive in fire prevention throughout the entire year.

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