The Canadian government issued a stark warning on Wednesday about the potential for another “catastrophic” wildfire season.
This prediction is grounded in forecasts showing higher-than-normal spring and summer temperatures across much of the country, exacerbated by El Nino weather conditions.
The announcement comes in the wake of Canada’s most severe fire season to date last year, where over 6,600 wildfires devastated 15 million hectares, an expanse roughly seven times larger than the annual average.
The tragic toll included the loss of eight firefighters and the evacuation of 230,000 individuals.
This winter, Canada has faced warmer-than-average temperatures and widespread drought conditions, further amplifying concerns for the upcoming summer.
“The temperature trends are very concerning. With the heat and dryness across the country, we can expect that the wildfire season will start sooner and end later and potentially be more explosive,” said Harjit Sajjan, the minister for emergency preparedness, during a press conference.
Federal ministers have highlighted climate change as a key factor contributing to more extreme weather events, including wildfires, drought, and heatwaves.
“Wildfires have always occurred across Canada; what’s new is their frequency and their intensity,” remarked Jonathan Wilkinson, the minister for energy and natural resources.
He emphasized: “The science is clear. The root cause of this is climate change.”
In response to these challenges, Ottawa has committed C$256 million ($187.15 million) over five years to support the procurement of new equipment.
This investment will be matched by the country’s provinces and territories.
Additionally, the federal government has pledged to train an extra 1,000 community-based wildfire firefighters.
Last year, Canada enlisted the aid of 5,500 international firefighters from countries including South Africa and Spain, along with 2,135 armed forces members, to combat the fires.
Wildfires and other severe weather events resulted in over C$3.1 billion in insured damages in 2023, reflecting the significant economic impact of these disasters.
In a separate update, the government of British Columbia highlighted that the province’s snowpack is at its lowest level since 1970, averaging 63% of normal compared to 88% at the same time last year.
“Typically drought and wildfire go hand in hand,” said Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist at the province’s River Forecast Centre.
He added, “It’s not setting up to be a great season, but it still depends on what the weather conditions are (this spring).”
The Canadian government’s warning of another potential catastrophic wildfire season calls for a coordinated response, blending emergency preparedness with long-term strategies to mitigate climate change effects.
The investment in firefighting resources and the emphasis on international cooperation in disaster response highlight the multifaceted approach needed to tackle such complex issues.
