The fires in Canada are causing forest devastation never before recorded by the authorities: more than 10 million hectares of forests have disappeared so far in 2023, a figure well above the last record held by the North American country.
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“The numbers are literally off the charts, with at least three months left in the active wildfire season,” Michael Norton of Canada’s Department of Natural Resources said a few days ago.
Weather forecasts for the coming weeks pointed to temperatures above the seasonal averages in many regions of the country, in the west and also in the north of Quebec, currently the most affected region. for the fires. With the heat wave that hits the Northern Hemisphere this weekend, the measures to mitigate the fires are in difficulties. According to a balance that remains provisional, 906 fires are active, of which 570 are out of control, reported the Interservice Center for Forest Fires.
In addition, the smoke from the fires in Canada once again sent plumes of smoke towards the neighbor to the south. Several states in the northern United States, such as Montana and North Dakota, have reported “harmful” levels of air quality.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that the 2023 fire season is and will continue to be record breaking in many respects,” Norton added, as the prospect points to the number of fires is maintained above average all summer.
According to experts, greenhouse gas emissions are increasing the strength, duration, and frequency of heat waves. “Evacuations, poor air quality and extreme heat alerts: we are discovering the effects of climate change in all its reality,” lamented the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos.
The situation has forced the authorities to request international cooperation at an unprecedented level to support the 3,800 Canadian firefighters deployed on the ground, who are also supported by the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The firefighting effort is has really become a global effort,” said Michael Norton.
In total, more than 3,000 foreign firefighters (from New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, South Korea, etc.) are working hard to tackle these mega-fires that could still burn for months.
with AFP
