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Almost a hundred people are now fighting the wildfire at the edge of the Kátł'odeeche First Nation's reserve, the NWT government says.

Scattered showers had offered a "crucial opening" for firefighters, the territory said on Tuesday afternoon, with air tankers and helicopters in constant service thanks to better visibility.

The fire has now burned 1,782 hectares in a large patch to the east and northeast of the First Nation. The territorial government says no further buildings have been lost, having estimated on Monday that the fire had affected some 15 of the First Nation's structures to date.

From the air, the fire on Tuesday had lost some of the daunting plume that dominated the skyline and many photos on Sunday and Monday. Instead, a smokey haze could be seen across the burn area.

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The Town of Hay River, to the west of the First Nation and the river, remains undamaged by the fire. Both communities have been under an evacuation order since Sunday.

Winds from the northwest have continued to push the fire away from the communities. Fire crews are now working to create a line of removed foliage and other fuel that will contain the fire and keep it from Highway 5, which passes south of the First Nation before reaching Fort Smith and Fort Resolution to the east.

"More hot, dry conditions [are] forecast tomorrow with a shift in wind to the northeast," the territorial government stated at 4pm on Tuesday. "The team will continue to work tirelessly to fight this fire."

The Town of Hay River told residents containing the fire will take time and warned them the town will not reopen for at least two or three more days.

The Kátł'odeeche First Nation said road blocks remained in place and the First Nation has no power.

Power distributor Northland Utilities wrote on Twitter: "With the wildfire still considered uncontrolled, we are assessing damages at Kátł'odeeche First Nation and unable to provide a timeline for power restoration."

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Nearly 100 people now fighting Hay River-KFN wildfire

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A vast effort to contain a wildfire outside Hay River and the Kátł'odeeche First Nation continues. Conditions on Tuesday helped but look set to worsen soon.

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As New York City was bombarded with dangerous air and smoke conditions that turned the skyline orange, some residents and environmental experts questioned if the city's leader acted quickly enough to warn people about the dangers of the "smoke wave."

The city's Office of Emergency Management issued warnings on its social media pages and city alert system starting Tuesday afternoon and Mayor Eric Adams put out a news release about the dangerous air quality around 11:30 p.m.

Some environmentalists said that the late notice was unacceptable given that the city's environment was already showing poor visibility and unhealthy air earlier in the morning.

"There is supposed to be emergency planning for situations like this," Rebecca Bratspies, the director of CUNY Law School's Center for Urban Environmental Justice Reform, told ABC News. "I was expecting the city to read the same news forecasts I had that this was happening Monday and Tuesday. They should have had a plan."

Adams defended his administration's approach to alerting New Yorkers about the dangers of the situation during a news conference with reporters Wednesday morning. He contended that there were no late notifications as the city's agencies, such as the health department and OEM, were going through the rapidly changing information.

"The clouds you see over New York City was a fire thousands of miles away. This is the challenge...and there are going to be more issues like this, and there's no blueprint or playbook for these types of issues," he said.

"We've done tabletops in this administration. You want to be as prepared as possible, but there is no planning for an incident like this," Adams added.

Bratspies, who is a board member of the city's Environmental Justice Advisory Board, countered the mayor's claim noting that the city has delivered air quality alerts in the past and has access to the latest forecast models.

"Air masses don't appear all of a sudden. They move slowly and you can predict how bad it will be long before it hits," she said.

Holly Porter-Morgan, a professor of environmental science at LaGuardia Community College, told ABC News that she too thought the city didn't do a good job informing the public as soon as there was an indication that the Air Quality Index reached dangerous levels.

Every minute that New Yorkers were exposed to that toxic air, particularly the elderly, immunocompromised and children, does more harm, she said.

"Whenever our air quality index goes above 100 there should be some sort of statement going out," Porter-Morgan said. "There should be some directive for people, because people don't know what to do."

Porter-Morgan said that even though wildfire smoke is new to the northeast, Adams and other leaders in the area can take a look at the environmental policies in West Coast states for guidance.

Alistair Hayden, an assistant professor of practice at the Department of Public and ecosystem health at Cornell University, told ABC News that while local, state and federal governments must enact policies to prepare and protect the public from "smoke waves," there is still a lot of work to be done to properly make those alerts.

"One thing I have heard from local governments is they don't know where to get the best air quality data. There are not excellent tools to zoom down and know what exactly is going on in your community," he said. "The research is just getting to those points now where we can use those tools, but it's still not where we need it to be."

Hayden, who worked in California's Office of Emergency Services, acknowledged informing and alerting the public to environmental disasters or emergencies is complicated, as data changes constantly.

"Warning is always a tricky business because across disasters we've seen if you alert too early and it changes people lose trust in the alerts," he said.

But in the meantime, Hayden said those governments can start to implement plans for these smoke waves and use the playbook for other similar situations.

For example, he said cities could use the cooling center plans, and designate certain buildings where vulnerable people can stay for clean air during the day.

Ultimately, Hayden said that public officials across the country need to take heed of what's going on on the east coast and start coming up with policies to prevent people from getting hurt by the negative effects of climate change.

"People don't realize how many people die in a smoke wave. This is a really important piece that we need to include in our policy at all levels," he said. "I think we need to respond to 'smoke waves' with the same type of urgency of other disasters."

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New York City's 'smoke wave' response time for warnings criticized

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As New York City was bombarded with dangerous air and smoke conditions, some environmental experts questioned if the city's leaders acted quickly enough to warn people.

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In recent days, smoke from the fires has been drifting over the northeastern United States and settling across the Midwest. Alerts warning of elevated concentrations of air pollution were issued across the regions particularly for "sensitive groups" that include children, older adults, and people with asthma and other pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Air pollution from wildfire smoke has become a significant health risk in the U.S. and is growing worse. Stanford University researchers found that the number of people who experienced at least one day with unhealthy air quality because of smoke rose by 27 times over the last decade.

Small particles in smoke that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - about 4% of the diameter of an average human hair - are of particular concern to air quality researchers.

"These are the particles that are small enough to breathe in and can cause cardiovascular issues," said Brett Palm, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

Exposure to this kind of pollution can cause inflammation and weaken the immune system, particularly when the tiny particles penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Particulate pollution may increase risk of asthma, lung cancer or other chronic lung diseases, particularly in vulnerable groups like older people, pregnant people, infants and children.

Wildfire smoke exposure might increase the risk of respiratory disease. Increases of Covid-19 and influenza have also been linked to wildfire smoke.

Palm said the situation unfolding in the Midwest highlights the longer-term risks of wildfires, particularly as climate change creates warmer and drier conditions that make these blazes more likely to occur - and more severe when they do.

"Over the last decade or so, these fires have been increasing and are having increasing impacts not just where the fires are, but far downwind from there," he said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - along with partner agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA - maintains an interactive map of air quality data called AirNow that allows users to see the locations of active fires and assess local conditions and risks.

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Air quality levels in parts of the U.S. plunge as Canada wildfires rage

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In recent days, smoke from the fires has been drifting over the northeastern United States and settling across the Midwest. Alerts warning of elevated concentrations of air pollution were issued across the regions particularly for "sensitive groups" that include children, older adults, and people with asthma and other pre-existing respiratory conditions.

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By Julie Schneider

" Three interconnected planetary crises: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution: are putting global economic and social well-being at risk". This is how the United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) framed societal challenges in its February 2021 strategy.

CHEM Trust has previously written about how chemical pollution is one of the key drivers of the biodiversity crisis, and published several reports on the impact of chemical pollution on wildlife. But what are the interconnections between chemicals and the climate crisis?

With the UN Climate Change Conference starting this week, we highlight four ways in which climate change and chemical pollution are interlinked:

1. Chemical pollution can make species already struggling due to climate change even more vulnerable;

2. Climate change could increase the impacts of chemical pollution;

3. Climate change is amplifying the release of hazardous chemicals in the environment;

4. The chemical industry is responsible for high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Complex interlinkage between climate change, chemical pollution and biodiversity loss
For species that are already heavily impacted by climate change, such as in the polar regions, exposure to toxic chemicals is an additional critical stressor impacting their chances of survival.
Research shows that climate change can make wildlife and ecosystems more sensitive to chemical pollution - with the associated knock-on impacts on people.

A study from 2017 shows that the combination of sea ice decline and exposure to pollutants has a dramatic impact on polar bears' ability to store energy via fat to survive through periods of food scarcity and reproductive fasting.

On one hand, sea ice decline induces longer periods of fasting and reduces foraging opportunities, leading to poor body condition. And polar bears in poor body condition have been found to have increased levels of organic pollutants in their fatty tissues. On the other hand, exposure to certain organic pollutants disrupts the lipid metabolism - the ability of marine mammals to produce fat. The study found that the impact of high levels of pollution on lipid metabolism was much higher during periods of high climate stress, when sea ice levels were very low. This example shows how the combination of multiple stressors, climate change and chemical pollution, put vulnerable species at high risk.

Research also shows that changes in external parameters such as temperature, salinity and acidity induced by global climate change can alter the way chemicals interact with organisms, and therefore alter their toxicity.

For instance, it has been shown that ocean acidification could increase the toxicity of contaminated marine sediments, thus impacting ocean floor ecosystems.

Another study showed that an organophosphate insecticide was 30-times more lethal to coho salmon in elevated salinity conditions than at lower salinity.

Other studies have shown how increases in temperature can lead to an increase in toxicity from pesticides or PCBs.

On top of these complex interactions, climate change and chemicals reciprocally amplify each other.

How is climate change increasing chemical pollution?

Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, melting ice sheets, rising sea levels - all of these proven features of climate change have the potential to amplify the release of chemical pollutants into the environment. Here are some examples:

Polar ice and high altitude glaciers are sinks of the most harmful chemical pollutants released in the past century. They are now found to be liberating their toxic load into the ocean and freshwater sources. PFAS are being released from melting glaciers from the Tibetan Plateau, contaminating downstream lakes and streams. Mercury is being released from the thawing permafrost. Some models forecast up to a 4 fold increase of banned persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in arctic waters due to melting of the ice driven by climate change.

Increases in temperature and reductions in precipitation enhance volatilization of POPs and pesticides into the atmosphere, which in turn, could lead to more air pollution.

More intense and frequent storm events will lead to more frequent and severe industrial chemical spills. After category 4 Hurricane Ida ravaged Louisiana in August 2021, over 350 oil and chemical spills were reported, polluting the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi river.

Rising sea levels and intensification of flooding also threaten historical landfills located in coastal and alluvial areas, which are potentially loaded with banned hazardous chemicals. In Europe there are tens of thousands of such landfills at risk of releasing their toxic load directly into the environment.

In addition, changes in climate can impact the direct use and release of synthetic chemicals. For instance, an increase in the use of pesticides due to greater incidence of pest and disease outbreak is forecasted. Another example is the increase in wildfires across the globe, leading to increased aerial spreading of fire retardant chemicals.

How is chemical production fuelling the climate crisis?

As with any industry that relies on fossil fuels for feedstock and energy, the chemical industry emits greenhouse gases (GHGs), and therefore directly contributes to the climate crisis. And in this case, it is a significant contribution. The chemical industry is:

Greenhouse gases are emitted at every stage of the life cycle of chemicals, from production to use and waste. For instance, it has been recently reported that the production of 'forever chemicals' PFAS emits HCFC-22, a greenhouse gas that is 5,000 times more potent than CO2.

This is important because global chemical production is growing exponentially. It has doubled between 2000 and 2017 and is projected to double again by 2030. This growth not only leads to increasing emissions of hazardous chemicals in the environment, but is also projected to place the petrochemical industry as one of the main drivers of increases in fossil fuel demand in the next decade.

Conclusions

As shown in this blog, synthetic chemicals are just one piece of the complex puzzle that needs urgent attention to mitigate the impact of the interlinked planetary crisis of: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It involves:

1. Reducing the overall toxic stress on people, wildlife and the wider environment.

2. Reducing the contribution of the production and use of chemicals to GHGs emissions.

Urgency to reduce the toxic stress

The Human Rights Council has recently adopted a resolution recognizing that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that the resolution is about protecting people and "the natural systems which are basic preconditions to the lives and livelihoods of all people".

Reducing the load of hazardous chemicals in our daily lives and the wider environment is critical to lowering the overall burden of stress to which people and wildlife are being exposed in these times of climate crisis.

What CHEM Trust recommends

Regarding industrial chemicals, such as the ones used in everyday products which are CHEM Trust's key focus, the actions which should be urgently adopted by all countries to reduce the flow of hazardous chemicals include:

Grouping chemicals for regulation in order to accelerate the control of hazardous substances;

Accounting for mixtures in chemical regulation to protect people and wildlife from the reality of combined exposures to chemicals;

Banning by default the most hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals, in consumer products to lower direct human exposure;

Phasing out the use of 'forever chemicals' PFAS and other very persistent chemicals to protect current and future generations from potentially irreversible impacts on health and the environment;

Ensuring that products are toxic free by design to facilitate the recirculation of materials in a clean circular economy;

And cleaning up contaminated sites wherever it is possible to reduce the impact of legacy pollution.

Many of these actions are included in the European Chemical Strategy for sustainability published last year by the European Commission. A swift and full implementation of this strategy will be a significant step towards a toxic-free future. And we are hoping to see many of these actions emulated in other nations and at global level.

Dr Anna Watson, CHEM Trust Head of Advocacy, said:

" Solving the crises that our planet and humanity currently face needs action from all sectors. The chemical sector has a huge part to play in both reducing its own GHGs emissions and reducing the amount and toxicity of chemicals that flood into our environment and bodies. Global, regional and national regulators also need to urgently act to make sure that the most hazardous chemicals in society are phased out. Otherwise we risk exacerbating the impacts of climate change on people and wildlife."

Further reading:

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Climate change and chemicals: what are the connections?

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"Three interconnected planetary crises: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution: are putting global economic and social well-being at risk". This is how the United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) framed societal challenges in its February 2021 strategy. CHEM Trust has previously written

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Noushin Ziafati CTVNews.ca Writer-Producer Follow | Contact

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‘We’re going to rebuild’: Indigenous communities look to recover from devastating wildfires

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The East Prairie Métis Settlement is one of several Indigenous communities that were hard-hit by the recent wildfires in Alberta. As the wildfire season rages on, residents and community officials are looking among the ruins, pondering how they’ll recover from all the losses.

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Noushin Ziafati CTVNews.ca Writer-Producer Follow | Contact

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‘We’re going to rebuild’: Indigenous communities look to recover from devastating wildfires

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The East Prairie Métis Settlement is one of several Indigenous communities that were hard-hit by the recent wildfires in Alberta. As the wildfire season rages on, residents and community officials are looking among the ruins, pondering how they’ll recover from all the losses.

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Uncertainty remains for Halifax-area evacuees as wildfire 100 per cent contained

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A wildfire that tore through homes and businesses in the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained, but a historic fire in southwestern Nova Scotia remains out of control.

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Forest fire centre declares 2023 already worst year ever for Canadian wildfires

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Canada surpassed the record for area burned by wildfires in a single year Monday as hundreds of fires continued to blaze in almost every province and territory.

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Inspections to begin on First Nation due to wildfire in Northwest Territories

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The K'atl'odeeche First Nation says it is to begin inspecting buildings today on the reserve, but it is not yet safe for residents to return as a wildfire continues to burn.

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This map shows fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires and other sources. It provides a public resource of information to best prepare and manage wildfire season. Developed in a joint partnership between the EPA and USFS.

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Flames tear through forest near Mistissini, Quebec, on June 12, as Canada contends with a record-breaking wildfire season [Marc-Andre Leclerc/Canadian Forces, handout/Reuters]

With Canada in the throes of a record-breaking early wildfire season, the country's Indigenous communities, which include First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, say it is time for them to be given a more prominent role in shaping the country's approach to fire and forest management.

"Settlers brought a vision of removing fire from the landscape to Canada. But when you take away fire, these landscapes become overgrown," Amy Cardinal Christianson, an Indigenous fire specialist with Parks Canada from Treaty 8 Metis territory in Alberta, told Al Jazeera in a recent phone call.

"Indigenous people have been removed from conversations about fire management. We want to be able to steward the land and use fire on our territories."

Those who try to do so, however, say they face numerous obstacles, from indifference to difficulty obtaining funds and equipment. Access to assistance from federal and provincial authorities can also vary by region, creating a patchwork system where Indigenous communities sometimes fall through the cracks.

But as Canada struggles to subdue wildfires that have grown in scope and intensity due to climate change, Cardinal Christianson says empowering Indigenous communities is a necessity.

"Canada has faced some bad fire seasons, so the public is looking for new solutions," she said, pointing to options like cultural burns, the Indigenous practice of using controlled fires to reduce tinder and create healthier ecosystems.

"But if we, as a society, have decided that we want fire back on the land, it just makes sense, and it's a matter of justice, for Indigenous people to be leading that process."

'Unprecedented' fire season

Over the last several weeks, Canada's fires have captured the world's attention as clouds of smoke and ash envelop cities across North America, placing more than 100 million people under air quality warnings.

With the warmest summer months yet to come, hundreds of blazes continue to dot the landscape, from British Columbia in the west to Quebec and Nova Scotia in the east. Nearly 8.5 million hectares (21 million acres) of land have been scorched so far.

"The fires in Canada are really quite unprecedented," Chief Ken McMullen, the president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), told Al Jazeera. "We have fires all across the country, and they started so early."

McMullen said that wildfires burned about 180,000 hectares (445,000 acres) of land last year in Alberta. But this year, he said more than 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) have already burned in that province alone.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), fires across the country have thus far torched nearly 1,600 percent of the yearly average.

"There are many variables," said McMullen. "But I'm not out of line saying that people will be working on some of these fires for months, possibly until snowfall in October or November."

'Beautiful truth'

Indigenous experts and firefighters say the current infernos have underscored the failure of fire suppression policies and other approaches that see fire as a hostile force to landscape management.

They add that this is a view with roots in colonial thinking, which understood the subjugation of the natural world as a precursor to human progress.

By contrast, they say that Indigenous knowledge teaches that fire is a vital and healthy part of maintaining a balanced landscape. Controlled burns, for example, can be used as a tool to stimulate biodiversity and thin out overgrown areas that might otherwise fuel bigger fires.

Cardinal Christianson told Al Jazeera that the first total fire suppression policy in Canada was enacted in 1610, in present-day Newfoundland. Ever since, she explained, Indigenous perspectives on fire have been discouraged, if not stamped out.

As out-of-control blazes become a persistent issue, however, reintroducing fire to Canada's landscapes through practices such as prescribed burns and cultural burning has received greater attention.

But Cliff Buettner - the director of Forestry and Emergency Protective Services at the Prince Albert Grand Council, which represents 12 tribal governments in Saskatchewan - told Al Jazeera that First Nations still face bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to cultural burning.

"We want to be able to take care of our own back yard," said Buettner. "But liability and costs are big obstacles."

Spaces known as Crown land, which are owned by federal or provincial authorities but contested by some First Nations communities, also have restrictions on burning practices.

"To this day, Indigenous people did not agree to the arrangements that put these lands under the control of federal and provincial authorities," said Buettner. He added that some Crown lands were designated for First Nations under treaties that were never enforced or broken outright.

Dane de Souza, a citizen of Metis Nation and former wildland firefighter who specialises in Indigenous fire management, sees a connection between today's fires and the restriction of Indigenous practices.

"Indigenous people have been managing fires for thousands of years," de Souza told Al Jazeera in a recent phone call. "Putting fire on the land is a very human thing to do. But we've replaced fires of choice with fires of chance."

He said there is a "beautiful truth" in the Indigenous approach to fire, one that has taken on even greater importance as countries struggle with climate change.

"When we talk about climate resilience and sustainability, that's Indigenous knowledge," he said. "What is being Indigenous? It's a connection to the land."

Falling through the cracks

Indigenous advocates highlight a bitter irony: While the suppression of Indigenous practices helped create the conditions for today's fires, First Nations and Metis communities now disproportionately face the risks.

According to a 2022 paper titled "The right to burn" published in the academic journal Facets, Indigenous people contend with "unique vulnerabilities to large and high-intensity wildfires as they are predominately located in remote, forested regions and lack financial support at federal and provincial levels to mitigate wildfire risk".

According to the federal agency Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Indigenous people are more than 10 times more likely to die in a fire than non-Indigenous people. As of June 29, ISC said that wildfires are currently affecting 10 First Nations across the country, with 3,752 Indigenous people evacuated.

"Historically, Indigenous firefighting has fallen through the cracks," said Blaine Wiggins, the senior director of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), an organisation created to help promote cooperation between Indigenous bodies.

"First Nations are at a distinct economic disadvantage when it comes to preparing for large-scale incidents."

He noted that, in the province of British Columbia, only a small handful of Indigenous fire services even have emergency dispatch.

ISC says that it is allocating nearly $40m to help bolster the firefighting capabilities of Indigenous communities through training and equipment provisions over a five-year period. It also has a programme that allows First Nations to reimburse expenses from disaster response and recovery.

But ambiguities in the jurisdiction of federal, provincial and tribal authorities mean that some Indigenous communities are left especially vulnerable, without the same protections afforded to other communities.

Wiggins points out that federal regulations for home fire protection do not apply to First Nations, leaving many communities in a regulatory grey zone. That can be especially dangerous when paired with poor-quality housing. A report by the Ontario Chief Coroner found that Indigenous children in the province were 86 times more likely to die in a fire than non-Indigenous children.

"There's not a consistent approach across the country," Wiggins said. "So there are disparities from region to region."

De Souza also noted that, while federal funding is available for some First Nations to spend on emergency management preparedness, those who do not live in the reservation system, including many in his Metis Nation, do not qualify.

"We've received zero dollars of funding," he said. "When the chips are down, some of us are citizens, and some of us are still second-class."

But as Canada searches for solutions to its historic fires, advocates are adamant that governments need to go beyond simply adopting some Indigenous burning practices.

"We don't want agencies to adapt and appropriate Indigenous knowledge," said Cardinal Christianson, "without actually empowering Indigenous people and giving them greater stewardship over the land".

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As Canada reels from wildfire, First Nations hope for larger role

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Advocates say that Indigenous communities must be given greater autonomy to engage in traditional burning practices.

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NEW YORK-Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires cast a persistent haze Wednesday over populous areas of the eastern U.S., and could last for days, as polluted air sent people with asthma to their doctors, disrupted air travel, postponed professional sports games and altered school schedules.

Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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Erin Ailworth, Jon Kamp and Alyssa Lukpat

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Wildfire Smoke Blankets Sky Across New York, Other States, Prompting Air-Quality Warnings

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Polluted air sent people with asthma to their doctors, disrupted air travel and altered school schedules, and hazy skies could last for days.

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Keyboard users: When the map is in focus, use the arrow keys to pan the map and the plus and minus keys to zoom. The arrow keys will not pan the map when zoomed to the map extent.

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The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is a not-for-profit corporation owned and operated by the federal, provincial and territorial wildland fire management agencies to coordinate resource sharing, mutual aid, and information sharing. In addition, CIFFC also serves as a collective focus and facilitator of wildland fire cooperation and coordination nationally and internationally in long-range fire management planning, program delivery and human resource strategies.

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Report a fire

To report a forest fire call 310-FIRE (3473)

South of the French and Mattawa rivers please call 911.

Real time updates

Our interactive map visually shows active fires, current fire danger across the province and restricted fire zones in effect.

The map now shows perimeters for some fires over 40 hectares in size. Please note that not all fires are mapped and perimeters are not updated every day (may differ from the size reported in the table).

We recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser to access the map.

Forest fire updates

Ontario's wildland fire season extends from April 1 to October 31. Provincial outdoor burning regulations are in effect. Please use caution with outdoor fires. Residents residing within municipal boundaries must also check with their local fire department for burning restrictions, or permitting requirements.

Northeast Region

Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see smoke forecasts for your area.

Any health-related concerns about smoke, please call Ontario Health at or .

See smoke and are unsure if you should call it in? Generally if you see a column of smoke, give us a call at if you're located north of the French and Mattawa Rivers (or 911 if you're south of these rivers); otherwise, check our interactive fire map or the above smoke-related websites to determine if what you're seeing is drifting heavy smoke.

Fire update

There are currently 30 active wildland fires in the Northeast Region. Of these, 2 are being held, 8 fires are under control and 20 are being observed.

There were no new fires confirmed in the region today.

The fire hazard varies from low to high throughout the Northeast Region. For a closer look at fire hazard conditions in your area, view our interactive map.

Fires of note

Cochrane 7 was confirmed on June 2. It is a 37,742 hectare wildland fire located northeast of Lake Abitibi. Ontario FireRanger Crews and a 20 person crew of forest firefighters from Mexico are dedicated to this fire with overhead support from helicopters. The fire's status has now been changed to 'being held'.

Cochrane 11 was confirmed on June 17. It's estimated at 805 hectares and is located approximately 5 kilometres west of the community of Fort Albany and south of Big Island. FireRanger crews and a 20 person crew of forest firefighters from Mexico are making good progress on fire suppression. The fire is under control.

Chapleau 3 was confirmed on June 1. It is a 3,916 hectare wildland fire located 2 kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake. It is under control.

Chapleau 6 was confirmed on June 4. It is a 1,228 hectare wildland fire located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and 1 kilometre east of Bolkow Lake. It is under control.

Travel, use, and access restrictions in the Northeast Region

Update effective 7 a.m. Monday July 10: Due to a decrease in fire behaviour and the effectiveness of fire suppression activities on Cochrane 7 over the past week, the ministry's Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing District will be reopening access on the Translimit Road between Cochrane and Quebec to traffic. Closure of the Crossover and Eades Roads, along with township restrictions covering the area of the Cochrane 7 fire remain in place as fire suppression activities continue. Specific restrictions are outlined below.
Travel, use, and access Restrictions in the Northeast Region -MNRF Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing District (COC006 and COC007 fires)
Under the Emergency Area Order ( EAO 2023-03) effective June 5, 2023, the ministry Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing District has imposed a new Implementation Order to protect public safety and to facilitate effective fire suppression. The following restrictions listed below and as outlined on the Implementation Order will be in effect as of 7 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2023 - until further notice.

Unless authorized by a travel permit:

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Steele Township as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads (excluding La Reine Road and Translimit Road) within Sargeant Township, north of the La Reine Road, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Bonis Township, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Scapa Township (excluding Translimit Road), as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Berry Township, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Hepburn Township, (excluding Translimit Road), as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads (excluding Translimit Road) within Case Township, south of the Translimit Road, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads (excluding Kabika Road and Translimit Road) within Abbotsford Township, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

All use and occupation of Crown Land and roads within Adair Township, as outlined on the attached implementation order map within the EAO, is prohibited.

For more information on these restrictions, see the Implementation Order Map. If you have any questions or require travel permits, please contact the Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing District office at 705-272-7178 or by email mnrf.coc@ontario.ca

Northwest Region

Fire update, July 12

Four new fires were confirmed in the Northwest Region by the late afternoon of July 12.

Nipigon 52 is located on Pic Island on Lake Superior, approximately 19 kilometres west of Marathon. The 4.5 hectare fire is not under control.

Nipigon 51 is located near Runham Lake, relatively adjacent to large fires Nipigon 13 (39,194 hectares) to the south and Nipigon 19 (10,182 hectares) to the north. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.

Nipigon 50 is located east of the Nipigon River, approximately 27.5 kilometres north of the town of Nipigon. The fire is not under control at 0.1 hectares in size.

Sioux Lookout 76 was located near Skebo Lake, approximately 19 kilometres southwest of Pickle Lake. The fire has been called out at 0.1 hectares.

At the time of this update there are 55 active fires in the Northwest Region. Of these fires, nine are not under control, one is being held, six are under control and 39 are being observed.

The wildland fire hazard ranges from low to high in the Northwest Region. A high hazard occupies the region's southwestern portions in Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances and the southern parts of the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout sectors. Hazard conditions are mainly moderate in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon sectors and low in the far north.

For a closer look at fire hazard conditions in your area, view our interactive map.

Northwestern Fires of Note

Sioux Lookout 33 is located on the western edge of Wabakimi Provincial Park and is 60,394 hectares in size and Not Under Control. Value assessment and protection is ongoing. Helicopter bucket operations are ongoing helping suppress the fire.

Sioux Lookout 44 is located on the west side of Lake St. Joseph and is 6,730 hectares in size and Not Under Control. Helicopter bucketing operations continue to work priority areas on the fire. Values protection is ongoing.

Nipigon 19 is located northwest of Ogoki Lake and is 10,182 hectares in size and Not Under Control. Crews continue to establish hose lines making good progress working alongside helicopter bucket machines to help limit the fires spread. Values protection is ongoing.

Red Lake 28 is located 40 kilometers North of Lac Seul First Nation and is 19,177.07 hectares in size and not under control. Crews continue to establish hose lines helicopter bucketing operations continue to provide support working the north and west end of the fire. Values protection is ongoing.

Restricted fire zones

The Restricted Fire Zone previously in place for the entire Fire Region of Ontario has been lifted, effective Tuesday, July 11, at 4 p.m.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry would like to thank Ontarians and visitors for doing their part to help prevent forest fires and keep communities safe. Please continue to use extreme caution and follow Ontario's Outdoor Fires Regulations when having an outdoor fire.

Restricted Fire Zone decisions consider a number of factors including daily weather and fire conditions, as well as forecasted weather trends over longer periods of time and potential drying conditions and precipitation. We also consider the number of wildland fires that are burning, and the number of resources required to manage both current and potential wildland fires.

Lifting the RFZ does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused fires. We all need to remain vigilant and keep safety top of mind when having outdoor fires.

Despite some rain or showers in parts of Ontario, some areas remain dry. It is important to remember that the overall fire danger can change rapidly based on the daily weather resulting in low to moderate fire danger one day, followed by high to extreme hazard the next simply based on the surface forest fuels drying out quickly, leading to fires starting easily and higher rates of fire spread under the right burning conditions.

The province will continue to assess forest fire hazard conditions and an RFZ designation may be reinstated in higher risk areas if the fire hazard and fire activity warrants.

A MNRF Restricted Fire Zone and a municipal fire ban can be in place at the same time, or separately. It is important that the public check with their local municipality as they may have local fire bans or fire restrictions in place.

Stay alert and be informed of the fire hazard near you on the public forest fire information map at Ontario.ca/forestfire. You can also follow us on Twitter: @ONforestfires for up-to-date information on the fire situation.

Contact information

Northeast Region

Northwest Region

For air quality in your area, please visit:
Public Weather Alerts for Canada

For smoke drift conditions across North America, visit:
Smoke drift across North America

For information about forest fire smoke and your health, consult:
Smoke and your health

Fires: year to date

The figures below represent the year-to-date total number of forest fires inside Ontario's fire region for the 2023 fire season, as they compare to the 2022 season and to the 10-year average.

You are responsible for fires you light

From April through October, people using outdoor fires must follow strict guidelines under the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario to ensure their fires are properly managed.

Anyone who starts a fire outdoors must take all necessary steps to tend the fire, keep it under control, and make sure the fire is out before leaving the site. A person failing to burn safely could be fined and held responsible for the cost of putting out the fire. People living in municipalities should check with local fire officials for bylaws on outdoor fires.

About Aviation, Forest Fires and Emergency Services (AFFES)

Visit our forest, wildland and outdoor fires page for more information on AFFES and wildland fire management, including:

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Information about the current forest fire danger, forest fire activity and fire restrictions across the province.

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One person is dead after a house fire earlier this week in a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation that has seen a lack of firefighting resources in recent years.

Pikangikum First Nation, located more than 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., says 11 others, including children, are safe following the Tuesday morning fire.

The First Nation says that Ontario Provincial Police were on scene in minutes, using fire extinguishers to buy time for the fire response.

They say Indigenous peacekeepers and firefighters arrived and contained the fire within 30 minutes, with the blaze extinguished two hours after the first police call.

Chief Shirley Lynne Keeper calls it another tragedy in a line of fire-related deaths that have greatly affected the Indigenous community, which has said it felt helpless after nine people died in a 2016 house fire and three more were killed in a February blaze.

In both cases, Pikangikum said it did not have trained first responders to fight the fires and Keeper has said the response to the February fire was hindered due to two fire trucks being frozen, since the community does not have an adequate building to shelter the vehicles in extremely cold temperatures.

A tribal council that represents five First Nations in northwestern Ontario created its own training program for emergency responders to help the remote communities it represents respond to devastating fires, such as the ones in Pikangikum.

The first batch of first responders graduated in late March.

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One dead after house fire in Ontario First Nation that lacks firefighting services - Barrie | Globalnews.ca

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One person is dead after a house fire earlier this week in a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation that has seen a lack of firefighting resources in recent years.

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Edmonton welcomes South African firefighters arriving to help with wildfire efforts

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The Edmonton International Airport erupted in spirited song and dance with the arrival of more than 200 South African firefighters Thursday.

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Found via: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/donnie-creek-wildfire-aftermath-1.6892294#:~:text=British%20Columbia-,What%20happens%20after%20the%20Donnie%20Creek%20wildfire%2C%20now%20larger%20than,the%20landscape%20for%20the%20worse.

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Keyboard users: When the map is in focus, use the arrow keys to pan the map and the plus and minus keys to zoom. The arrow keys will not pan the map when zoomed to the map extent.

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The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is a not-for-profit corporation owned and operated by the federal, provincial and territorial wildland fire management agencies to coordinate resource sharing, mutual aid, and information sharing. In addition, CIFFC also serves as a collective focus and facilitator of wildland fire cooperation and coordination nationally and internationally in long-range fire management planning, program delivery and human resource strategies.

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Summary of current values and forecast maximums

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Who

Daxing'anling Wildfire, Chinchaga Fire

Wildfires come in several forms and can be measured in various ways. They are notoriously difficult to compare, particularly between those from different eras and those in remote regions where the accuracy of equipment and techniques vary drastically. The most likely largest single forest fire in recorded history is between two contenders. The Chinchaga Fire started in logging slash in British Columbia, Canada, on 1 June 1950 that grew out of control and ended five months later on 31 October in Alberta; in that time, it burned approximately 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres) of boreal forest. The 1987 Daxing'anling Wildfire (aka Great Black Dragon Fire), which raged through the Greater Khingan mountain range of north-east China and across the border into the Siberian USSR (now Russia) between 6 May and 2 June 1987, is thought to have burned a similar-sized area of pine forest. It's reported that the Great Black Dragon Fire killed more than 200 people, injured more than 250 and left tens of thousands displaced.

This was most likely part of the largest forest fire mega-complex, or regional outbreak, too. At the same time as the Daxing'anling Wildfire, forest fires also raged across the border in Siberian Russia; satellite data suggests as much as 13-15 million hectares (32.1-37 million acres) of taiga were affected. If you combine that with the Chinese fire, you get a total coverage for the region of some 16-18 million hectares (39.5-44.5 million acres).

Records change on a daily basis and are not immediately published online. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. (You will need to register / login for access)

Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record.

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The Guinness World Records Official site with ultimate record-breaking facts & achievements. Do you want to set a world record? Are you Officially Amazing?

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/6/8/canada-wildfires-live-smoky-haze-spreads-across-us-cities

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the US East Coast and Midwest, triggering air quality alerts in major cities including New York.

People wear protective masks as haze and smoke from the Canadian wildfires shroud the Manhattan skyline [Shannon Stapleton/Reuters]

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has shrouded New York in a record-breaking apocalyptic smog as cities along the United States East Coast issued air pollution warnings and thousands evacuated their homes in Canada.

In Canada, the devastating fires have displaced more than 20,000 people and scorched more than 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) of land.

Here is what we know about the wildfires, the spreading smoke and how to stay safe if you're in the affected areas:

What's happening in the US and Canada?

Smoke from Canada's wildfires has been moving into the United States with fires near Quebec burning since last month.

Unusually hot and dry weather intensified the wildfires. As of Wednesday, nearly 160 wildfires were burning in the province of Quebec alone.

On Wednesday, air quality alerts were in effect in the US for southern Michigan and Wisconsin, northern Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York where a high concentration of pollutants was forecast.

New York was enduring the worst air quality index (AQI) of any major city in the world, according to IQAir.com, which tracks air quality around the world.

BREAKING: The Air Quality Index in New York City has spiked to 342, which is the "Hazardous" category. This means everyone is at a high risk of adverse health effects. There's currently no other major city anywhere on Earth with worse air quality. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/kjthgQzNq2

- Collin Gross (@CollinGrossWx) June 7, 2023

What's the biggest concern?

Air quality alerts are triggered by several factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution - known as "PM 2.5" - which can irritate the lungs.

"The biggest health threat from wildfire smoke are from these very small, microscopic particles that you breathe in," Jill Baumgartner, an associate professor in the School of Population and Global Health at McGill University in Montreal, told Al Jazeera, explaining that they can lead to a variety of problems from burning eyes and runny noses to chronic heart and lung diseases.

"We mostly worry about inflammation in the lungs" from these high levels of pollution, said Rima Habre, an expert in air quality at the University of Southern California. She added that with climate change affecting the fires, there is an increasing worry about more people being exposed to less extreme smoke for weeks or months.

Canadian researchers have reported that people who lived outside of major cities and within 50km (31 miles) of a wildfire in the past decade had a 4.9 percent higher risk of lung cancer and a 10 percent higher risk of brain tumours compared with people not exposed to wildfire.

Who should be careful?

The air quality alerts caution "sensitive groups", a wide category that includes children, adults and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Kids "are more susceptible to smoke for a number of reasons", said Laura Kate Bender of the American Lung Association. "Their lungs are still developing; they breathe in more air per unit of body weight."

How to stay safe?

It's a good time to put off that yard work and outdoor exercise. If you go out, consider wearing an N95 mask.

Stay inside if you can, keep doors, windows and fireplaces shut. It is recommended that if you have air conditioning, you run it on a recirculation setting.

Experts also recommend investing in air purifiers, especially for those with underlying lung or heart disease.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

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Canada wildfires are affecting millions: Here's how to stay safe

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the US East Coast and Midwest triggering air quality alerts.

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(from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/6/8/canada-wildfires-live-smoky-haze-spreads-across-us-cities)

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Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada | The White House

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President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada today to offer additional support to respond to the devasting and historic wildfires burning in Canada. The President has directed his team to deploy all available Federal firefighting assets that can rapidly assist in suppressing fires impacting Canadian and American communities.

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(from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/6/8/canada-wildfires-live-smoky-haze-spreads-across-us-cities)

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Canada’s record wildfires should be ‘wake-up call’, experts warn

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Images of orange, hazy skies across Canada and parts of US fuel calls to tackle climate crisis making wildfires worse.

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Experts explain link between wildfires and climate change

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Experts say the reason wildfires are so pronounced in Canada this year is because of climate change, which is creating the conditions for fires to break out more easily, more frequently and more intensely.

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(For Image at least (Chart to be specific))

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In 2015, scientist Ellen Whitman set out on a visit to Wood Buffalo National Park, a vast wilderness spanning northeastern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

At that time, the land had been subject to two major wildfires a decade apart - the most recent in 2014.

"The first fire burned a very large, mature pine stand and it was regrowing back as pine with a little bit of aspen mixed in," recalled Whitman, a forest fire research specialist at Natural Resources Canada.

"Then that second fire killed all those seedlings and suddenly it's basically a grassland with a few scattered aspen trees."

Her team's findings, laid out in a recently published paper, are part of a growing body of evidence showing how the changing climate and increased severity of wildfires are altering the makeup of North American forests.

The study compared forest areas that had similar climate and soil conditions, where half had been subjected to fire twice in a short time span, while the other half had a longer period of regrowth.

In the areas where fire had recurred more quickly, aspens dominated in the place of conifers, and growth beneath the trees was far less established. Areas of exposed mineral soil, where all organic material had been burned off, were also more common.

"When you've had a severe disturbance or a repeated burning on top of burning or a really severe drought in the year after a fire, we might kind of start to see these patches changing to be more southern-like in their ecosystem structure," Whitman said.

"Almost more like a savannah in some cases."

Scientists say such a transformation is likely to be seen elsewhere in Canada's boreal forest in the years to come.

Good fires and bad fires

Experts are quick to point out that fires are a crucial and natural aspect of a forest's life cycle; they have allowed Canada's boreal forest to flourish over millennia.

But there is also evidence that fires are becoming larger and more intense, changing what grows back after the flames go out.

"People talk about good fire and bad fire. The good fire is the fire that we've had historically that has helped to renew this landscape," said Jennifer Baltzer, an associate professor in the department of biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario.

"The bad fires [are] what we're seeing in the face of a combination of climate warming and really effective fire suppression in the past."

Baltzer has also studied how boreal forests are changing across North America. Black spruce dominated most sites before a fire, but tended to lose dominance in its aftermath, according to data collected for a 2021 research paper.

In more extreme cases, areas filled with black spruce failed to regenerate at all. The findings also have troubling implications for the carbon stored beneath the forest floor, she said, potentially increasing the amount released into the atmosphere.

More than 5.1 million hectares have burned so far this year across Canada, according to federal data.

The worst fire season ever documented was in 1995, when 7.1 million hectares burned, government data showed. The country is on pace to surpass that by the end of June.

"I would anticipate that what we're seeing now is going to play out as really severe burning fires," said Merritt Turetsky, director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado Boulder.

"We know that when a lot of organic matter - in the trees, but also on the ground in moss and peat layers - when a large amount of that is consumed during a fire, sites don't regenerate back to what they were prior."

In this changing landscape, there will be "winners and losers" among not only trees, but also the birds and mammals that thrive in a new environment, Whitman said.

Bison, for instance, tend to favour the long grasses and open spaces now found at the site of the recurring fires. On the other hand, there's evidence woodland caribou depend on conifer peatlands as a maternal habitat, she said.

"If we start losing those, that doesn't necessarily bode well for those species since the reproductive timing is super important for them to have a habitat where they're less likely to encounter predators."
WATCH | The stages of a wildfire, and how they are put out:

What exactly are the stages of a wildfire?

Change in expectations

Researchers say there are ways to slow these changes, starting with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, Baltzer said improved fire management, by allowing some fires to burn in some cases, and increasing the number of prescribed burns in others, would help scale back the number of out-of-control, large-scale fires.

"In many parts of Canada, we have a build up of fuels in the landscape because of effective suppression," she said.

"If you're able to reduce some of the fuel that's on the landscape, there's the potential to help to facilitate fires that are not so damaging."

Going forward, Whitman suggested different approaches will be needed depending on the circumstances - and the expectations. Increased tree planting in burned out areas could help, but only to a point, she said.

"Certainly we can replant after fires, but as people have really seen this year, it covers a vast area of the landscape," she said, explaining that in some cases, planting trees may not be realistic.

She stressed that, in many cases, trees have still demonstrated the ability to reseed and regenerate.

"It's really more a question of is it necessary for it to become a forest that's as dense or of the exact same composition that you expected before, or do we need to say .... maybe it's a little bit of an altered ecosystem."
Is the weather normally like this in June? Check the CBC News Climate Dashboard to find out how today's temperatures compare to historical trends.

You can search for your town or city and add it as a favourite. Come back daily to see how current conditions and forecasts diverge from previous years.

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Climate change, fires transform some of Canada's boreal forests into savannahs | CBC News

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Canada's boreal forest will look different in the years to come. Scientists say the changing climate and increased severity of wildfires are altering their makeup.

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Edmonton welcomes South African firefighters arriving to help with wildfire efforts

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The Edmonton International Airport erupted in spirited song and dance with the arrival of more than 200 South African firefighters Thursday.

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A hotspot is a satellite image pixel with high infrared intensity, indicating a heat source. Hotspots from known industrial sources are removed; the remaining hotspots represent vegetation fires, which can be in forest, grass, cropland, or logging debris. A hotspot may represent one fire or be one of several hotspots representing a larger fire. Not all fires can be identified from satellite imagery, either because the fires are too small or because cloud cover obscures the satellite's view of the ground.

The Fire M3 hotspots are obtained from multiple sources:

1. Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery, courtesy of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS).

2. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery, courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), and from the Active Fire Mapping Program, Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC), USDA Forest Service. (https://fsapps.nwcg.gov/afm/)

3. Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) imagery, courtesy of NASA LANCE FIRMS, University of Maryland and RSAC.

More information about Fire M3 is available in the Background Information.

Smoke Forecasts for Canada available at: FireSmoke.ca and Firework.

Fire M3 maps and reports are updated daily from May through September.

Section menu

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A hotspot is a satellite image pixel with high infrared intensity, indicating a heat source. Hotspots from known industrial sources are removed; the remaining hotspots represent vegetation fires, which can be in forest, grass, cropland, or logging debris. A hotspot may represent one fire or be one of several hotspots representing a larger fire.

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How Safe Is Your Office Air? There’s One Way to Find Out.

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An architecture and design firm in New York installed indoor air sensors during the pandemic. Then the wildfires hit.

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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N95 Masks Helped Protect Against the Coronavirus. They Also Work Against Wildfire Smoke.

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Use N95, or better, masks and make sure they cover your nose and mouth.

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Contribution to Climate Change and Global Warming

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Contribution to Climate Change and Global Warming

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Impact on other countries and global response

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Impact on other countries and global response

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Noushin Ziafati CTVNews.ca Writer-Producer Follow | Contact

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‘We’re going to rebuild’: Indigenous communities look to recover from devastating wildfires

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The East Prairie Métis Settlement is one of several Indigenous communities that were hard-hit by the recent wildfires in Alberta. As the wildfire season rages on, residents and community officials are looking among the ruins, pondering how they’ll recover from all the losses.

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More than 10 per cent of Canadians are living in homes that are increasingly threatened by wildfires, with on-reserve First Nations communities being disproportionately affected, according to new research published by scientists from Canada's natural resources department.

The new study, published in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research, found that roughly 4.1 million people - or 12.3 per cent of the Canadian population - reside within what the authors call a 'wildland-human interface' or areas where homes and public structures intermingle with forests.

But the percentage of people at risk in on-reserve First Nations communities is nearly three times higher, with 32.1 per cent of this population facing looming dangers as the climate crisis exacerbates natural disasters. The authors estimate First Nations reserve inhabitants make up only 1.1 per cent of the Canadian population, based on the 2011 census.

The research is coming to light a few months into a devastating forest fire season with more than 2.7 million hectares of land in Canada already affected by wildfires, including a deadly blaze in June that killed two people and destroyed the town of Lytton, B.C. That fire resulted in roughly 300 insurance claims and $78 million in insured damage, according to recent estimates by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The threat wildfire poses to communities is expected to increase in the future, since 17.3 per cent of forested areas in Canada are close to housing, industry and infrastructure, according to the new research, published in April.

"Personally, I think I really underestimated the number of people and the amount of area subjected to wildfires in Canada," Sandy Erni, lead author of the study, told The Narwhal in an interview.

Yan Boulanger, a co-author of the study and a research scientist in forest ecology at Natural Resources Canada, said that the annual number of lands affected by wildfire is only going to increase.

"This is mostly caused by an increase in temperature," he said. "Because temperatures are increasing, the climate is drier. So conditions are more fire conducive. Also, the fire season itself begins earlier in the spring and ends later in the fall, so there's more time for fire to burn the landscape because of this increase in temperature, especially out west."

A helicopter responds to the Williams Lake wildfire on July 15, 2017. Forests are at increased risk of burning due to climate change, meaning the 4.1 people in Canada who live in wildland-human interfaces are increasingly threatened by wildfires. Photo: B.C. Wildfire Service

But the climate crisis is not solely responsible for the heightened wildfire risk to a growing number of Canadians. Erni, who specializes in fire risk research with the Canadian Forest Service, said climate is just one side of the coin, the other being human society itself.

"We have got more people living in the forest, so we spread out human areas. And we don't have the common sense that Indigenous cultures have about living with the forest. So I think that's something very interesting to understand - you've got the fire, but also the society, which is increasing the pressure on the ecological system."

Erni is not alone in her thinking.

Andrew Judge (Mkomosé), an assistant professor of Anishinaabe Studies at Algoma University who is not affiliated with the study, believes that people need to shift their mentality and recognize the "symbiotic relationship" between humans and the forest. From an Anishinaabe perspective, humans are the most reliant of all creatures and need the most from other beings, Judge said, but many humans are also caught up in prioritizing financial, rather than ecological, values.

"We continue to look at the forest as lumber and not breath," he said. "The forest represents the breath of life - it inhales what we exhale, and exhales what we inhale."

Judge said it's now more urgent than ever to change the way we think about the natural world, because the cost of not doing so is and will continue to be disproportionately felt by marginalized communities.

The federal wildfire study shows just how the pressure of wildfires are bearing down more directly on First Nations reserves.

Currently, 17.8 per cent of the on-reserve First Nations population living in a wildland-human interface is exposed to a fire return interval of less than 250 years. By comparison, only 4.7 per cent of the remaining population across Canada lives in this interface.

Volunteers from Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, based in Vancouver, deliver food and water to Siska First Nation for firefighters battling the Lytton wildfire. Photo: Amy Romer / The Narwhal

Not only are wildland-human interfaces more likely to cover First Nations reserves, these communities also have a shorter fire risk interval - the time that is expected to take place between two fire events.

The study also notes that First Nations reserves make up almost one-third of all evacuees and evacuation events from recent decades.

The study predicts that remote First Nations communities in particular will bear the brunt of wildfires in the coming years. In northwest Ontario alone, six First Nations communities have evacuated this summer due to wildfires.

Judge noted that while climate change is at the root of the problem, we need to expand the metaphor to grasp the ways in which wildfires can compound the vulnerabilities of marginalized peoples.

"Climate change is also the trunk because it has so many branches, and then the roots of that are colonial greed, colonial violence, racist policies - there are so many other roots. If you think of the roots of a tree, there's so many I don't think you can just define one root."

The study also predicts that, regardless of the climate change scenario, the amount of human settlements close to forests with a high fire risk will continue to increase. As such, Erni explained, Canada needs to focus more energy on preparation and mitigation, and less on suppression.

"And everybody can play a role. We often talk about policies and authorities, but even homeowners cleaning their backyard can make a huge difference," she said. "I think that's good to remind people sometimes."

Being aware of the risk is the first step, said Boulanger, and communicating it is the second. That is what he hopes their research can accomplish.

"We see that we can certainly bring some solutions to those problems. Of course, these are tragedies. But now that we know the burn probabilities around Canada a little bit better, we'll get a little bit more confident about what we should do."

The study was co-authored by Lynn M. Johnston, a forest fire research scientist; Francis Manka, a forest biologist; Pierre Bernier, a forest productivity research scientist Emeritus; Amy Cardinal Christianson, a Métis fire social scientist; Thomas Swystun, a forest systems modelling specialist and Sylvie Gauthier, a forest succession research scientist. All the co-authors work for the Canadian Forest Service.

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Matt Simmons (Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

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First Nations communities disproportionately threatened by wildfires: study | The Narwhal

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More than four million people in Canada live near forests that are at increased risk of burning due to the climate crisis, according to new research published by Canadian government scientists

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the Wildfires in Canada | The White House

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This morning, millions of Americans are experiencing the effects of smoke resulting from devastating wildfires burning in Canada, another stark reminder of the impacts of climate change. Since May, more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and firefighting assets have been deployed, work…

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17 First Nations are affected by the wildfires and 13 First Nations have evacuated

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It starts with a poplar tree branch.

With a slight hand and a sharp blade, the bark slides right off. Using just the right pressure, and technique honed through practice, the carver makes a series of cuts into the soft wood. In a matter of seconds, he slides the bark back on.

A Grade One student eagerly reaches for the new whistle. He blows air into the tiny wooden instrument, discovering another way to make music.

This is why students come to the Nihithow Askiy Cultural Education Camp - to make new connections with nature.

At least once a week, students in Stanley Mission, Sask., come to the site in the woods to learn the Cree language along with land-based ways of living including hunting, gathering and tool-making.

But wildfires have already forced those lessons to change.

"We didn't do rabbit snaring this year. We'll let them reproduce," said land-based teacher Sylvia McKenzie.

"We used to see lots of rabbit tracks out here, but this year not so much due to the fire."

This year has officially seen Canada's worst fire season on record. More than 8 million hectares have burned so far.

Much of that land sustains treaty rights such as hunting, gathering and cultural practices. Some members of Indigenous communities worry that, if nothing changes soon, the land and traditional ways of life will suffer.

Environmental change trickles down to treaty rights

Stanley Mission, located about 500 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, is intimately familiar with wildfires. In 2015, residents were among 8,000 northerners forced from their homes due to raging fires.

The small community of about 1,500 has been evacuated several times since then, including 2021 and 2022, when fire came within kilometres of most houses.

The forest lining the gravel highway leading into Stanley Mission tells the story.

"The forest you see here are the birch trees that burned in 2022," said Maurice Ratt, the emergency management co-ordinator for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, which includes Stanley Mission and five other First Nations.

"These trees are dead. They will no longer be able to produce oxygen or regrow, so eventually they'll rot and fall down," said Ratt.

He bends down to examine the base of one tree.

"The fire burned beneath the root, and that's what kills it off and burns it completely."

This area saw a moderate fire last year, said Ratt. Small, deciduous trees are already popping up among the dry, burned vegetation.

In some spots, though, the fire burned so hot, it incinerated the mineral soil. Any nutrients that could have supported regrowth are gone.

"There will be growth here, but it will be at least 10 years for that to start happening," said Ratt.

Fires can be a natural part of a forest's ecosystem, but a recent study shows climate change and increasing severity of wildfires alter what grows back in Canadian forests. In the most extreme cases, when fires repeatedly scorch the same areas, the landscape could end up looking more like a desert.

Any kind of change in the environment has a trickle-down effect to Indigenous communities who live off the land, Ratt said.

"We lose our traditional lands for things such as hunting and trapping. The animals are being chased away. There's scarce vegetation for smaller animals such as rabbits to forage for food," he said.

"When we can't get to our cabins to install sprinkler systems due to a lack of resources, we lose our livelihood there because a lot of people still live off the land year-round."

Returning evacuees could face 'ecological grief'

More than 21,000 people from 45 Indigenous communities have been forced from their homes so far this year, according to Indigenous Services Canada.

Returning to find the land razed can bring difficult emotions.

"When you're trying to find yourself after returning after a fire evacuation, one of the things that really grounds you is being able to go out and participate in your cultural activities - but you can't do that," said Amy Cardinal Christianson, a Métis fire researcher with Parks Canada.

"It's very difficult for people to cope."

Cardinal Christianson said she's spoken with evacuees who were "just devastated" to see the impact on the forest.

It can be a form of "ecological grief," said Cardinal Christianson.

She suggests having mental health and cultural supports come to communities post-fire to help people work through those feelings.

"Sometimes, the return can be treated as the end [of the emergency]. I think agencies are starting to step up and provide supports in that way for communities, but I think it just hasn't been enough," she said.

More training, better protection

Indigenous Services Canada and the Assembly of First Nations recently updated their five-year strategy that addresses fire protection in Indigenous communities.

It includes goals such as ensuring all First Nations have the highest possible standard of firefighting available.

In Saskatchewan, the province says it has northern First Nations members trained at all levels of firefighting and holds annual training in the north for those who want to get into the industry.

But Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook Searson says there's still more community members looking to suit up and help, and a thirst for more access to training.

"They want to protect their own communities," she said.

"We rely on this land."

First Nations across the country are responsible for fighting fires on reserve. Provincial or municipal crews call the shots outside of that.

"I hope that we can get to that point where First Nations people are more involved in fighting forest fires," said Peter Beatty, a former chief and band councillor of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.

"They can be an effective resource if they're asked and equipped to do so."

Beatty advocated for decades to get better training and equipment for northern Indigenous firefighters. He urges governments to invest more in Indigenous fire crews, who are capable and willing to not only look after their own treaty lands, but help others.

"We have so many firefighters in our communities that are trained firefighters. That's right across Canada in First Nations communities," he said.

"Yet the governments don't want to fully utilize those available resources. They'll reach out across the ocean and bring in firefighters. Why do you need to do that? You have the resource right on your doorstep."

In an email, the press secretary for Canada's minister of emergency preparedness said firefighting needs are being met by both domestic and international resources.

Indigenous Services Canada funds First Nations fire prevention and protection efforts. Last year's budget promised $39.2 million over five years to support equipment and training in First Nations.

In June, Ottawa announced money to train firefighters in communities that need them. That includes more than 300 Indigenous firefighters and 125 Indigenous fire guardians trained this season, according to Natural Resources Canada.

Land-based camp saved

The group of Grade One students race down a dirt road. Whistles in hand, they pant and giggle their way toward their finish line - a colourful sign acknowledging the land-based camp.

On one side of the sign is a lush, green forest.

Metres away, the trees are black, thin sticks poking at the blue sky. Pops of green desperately try to make their way through soot-coloured dirt.

"This is where the fire started last spring," said teacher Sylvia McKenzie.

The camp - itself a way to continue land-based education and connection - almost burned down last year.

A fire guard saved the land, and that means so much for McKenzie and the students who will soon take over stewardship of their community.

"They're so proud [of] what they can do out here."

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When the smoke clears: Indigenous communities worry about connections to the land after wildfires | CBC News

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This year has officially seen Canada's worst fire season on record. Some members of Indigenous communities worry that, if nothing changes soon, the land and traditional ways of life will suffer.

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Flames tear through forest near Mistissini, Quebec, on June 12, as Canada contends with a record-breaking wildfire season [Marc-Andre Leclerc/Canadian Forces, handout/Reuters]

With Canada in the throes of a record-breaking early wildfire season, the country's Indigenous communities, which include First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, say it is time for them to be given a more prominent role in shaping the country's approach to fire and forest management.

"Settlers brought a vision of removing fire from the landscape to Canada. But when you take away fire, these landscapes become overgrown," Amy Cardinal Christianson, an Indigenous fire specialist with Parks Canada from Treaty 8 Metis territory in Alberta, told Al Jazeera in a recent phone call.

"Indigenous people have been removed from conversations about fire management. We want to be able to steward the land and use fire on our territories."

Those who try to do so, however, say they face numerous obstacles, from indifference to difficulty obtaining funds and equipment. Access to assistance from federal and provincial authorities can also vary by region, creating a patchwork system where Indigenous communities sometimes fall through the cracks.

But as Canada struggles to subdue wildfires that have grown in scope and intensity due to climate change, Cardinal Christianson says empowering Indigenous communities is a necessity.

"Canada has faced some bad fire seasons, so the public is looking for new solutions," she said, pointing to options like cultural burns, the Indigenous practice of using controlled fires to reduce tinder and create healthier ecosystems.

"But if we, as a society, have decided that we want fire back on the land, it just makes sense, and it's a matter of justice, for Indigenous people to be leading that process."

'Unprecedented' fire season

Over the last several weeks, Canada's fires have captured the world's attention as clouds of smoke and ash envelop cities across North America, placing more than 100 million people under air quality warnings.

With the warmest summer months yet to come, hundreds of blazes continue to dot the landscape, from British Columbia in the west to Quebec and Nova Scotia in the east. Nearly 8.5 million hectares (21 million acres) of land have been scorched so far.

"The fires in Canada are really quite unprecedented," Chief Ken McMullen, the president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), told Al Jazeera. "We have fires all across the country, and they started so early."

McMullen said that wildfires burned about 180,000 hectares (445,000 acres) of land last year in Alberta. But this year, he said more than 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) have already burned in that province alone.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), fires across the country have thus far torched nearly 1,600 percent of the yearly average.

"There are many variables," said McMullen. "But I'm not out of line saying that people will be working on some of these fires for months, possibly until snowfall in October or November."

'Beautiful truth'

Indigenous experts and firefighters say the current infernos have underscored the failure of fire suppression policies and other approaches that see fire as a hostile force to landscape management.

They add that this is a view with roots in colonial thinking, which understood the subjugation of the natural world as a precursor to human progress.

By contrast, they say that Indigenous knowledge teaches that fire is a vital and healthy part of maintaining a balanced landscape. Controlled burns, for example, can be used as a tool to stimulate biodiversity and thin out overgrown areas that might otherwise fuel bigger fires.

Cardinal Christianson told Al Jazeera that the first total fire suppression policy in Canada was enacted in 1610, in present-day Newfoundland. Ever since, she explained, Indigenous perspectives on fire have been discouraged, if not stamped out.

As out-of-control blazes become a persistent issue, however, reintroducing fire to Canada's landscapes through practices such as prescribed burns and cultural burning has received greater attention.

But Cliff Buettner - the director of Forestry and Emergency Protective Services at the Prince Albert Grand Council, which represents 12 tribal governments in Saskatchewan - told Al Jazeera that First Nations still face bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to cultural burning.

"We want to be able to take care of our own back yard," said Buettner. "But liability and costs are big obstacles."

Spaces known as Crown land, which are owned by federal or provincial authorities but contested by some First Nations communities, also have restrictions on burning practices.

"To this day, Indigenous people did not agree to the arrangements that put these lands under the control of federal and provincial authorities," said Buettner. He added that some Crown lands were designated for First Nations under treaties that were never enforced or broken outright.

Dane de Souza, a citizen of Metis Nation and former wildland firefighter who specialises in Indigenous fire management, sees a connection between today's fires and the restriction of Indigenous practices.

"Indigenous people have been managing fires for thousands of years," de Souza told Al Jazeera in a recent phone call. "Putting fire on the land is a very human thing to do. But we've replaced fires of choice with fires of chance."

He said there is a "beautiful truth" in the Indigenous approach to fire, one that has taken on even greater importance as countries struggle with climate change.

"When we talk about climate resilience and sustainability, that's Indigenous knowledge," he said. "What is being Indigenous? It's a connection to the land."

Falling through the cracks

Indigenous advocates highlight a bitter irony: While the suppression of Indigenous practices helped create the conditions for today's fires, First Nations and Metis communities now disproportionately face the risks.

According to a 2022 paper titled "The right to burn" published in the academic journal Facets, Indigenous people contend with "unique vulnerabilities to large and high-intensity wildfires as they are predominately located in remote, forested regions and lack financial support at federal and provincial levels to mitigate wildfire risk".

According to the federal agency Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Indigenous people are more than 10 times more likely to die in a fire than non-Indigenous people. As of June 29, ISC said that wildfires are currently affecting 10 First Nations across the country, with 3,752 Indigenous people evacuated.

"Historically, Indigenous firefighting has fallen through the cracks," said Blaine Wiggins, the senior director of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), an organisation created to help promote cooperation between Indigenous bodies.

"First Nations are at a distinct economic disadvantage when it comes to preparing for large-scale incidents."

He noted that, in the province of British Columbia, only a small handful of Indigenous fire services even have emergency dispatch.

ISC says that it is allocating nearly $40m to help bolster the firefighting capabilities of Indigenous communities through training and equipment provisions over a five-year period. It also has a programme that allows First Nations to reimburse expenses from disaster response and recovery.

But ambiguities in the jurisdiction of federal, provincial and tribal authorities mean that some Indigenous communities are left especially vulnerable, without the same protections afforded to other communities.

Wiggins points out that federal regulations for home fire protection do not apply to First Nations, leaving many communities in a regulatory grey zone. That can be especially dangerous when paired with poor-quality housing. A report by the Ontario Chief Coroner found that Indigenous children in the province were 86 times more likely to die in a fire than non-Indigenous children.

"There's not a consistent approach across the country," Wiggins said. "So there are disparities from region to region."

De Souza also noted that, while federal funding is available for some First Nations to spend on emergency management preparedness, those who do not live in the reservation system, including many in his Metis Nation, do not qualify.

"We've received zero dollars of funding," he said. "When the chips are down, some of us are citizens, and some of us are still second-class."

But as Canada searches for solutions to its historic fires, advocates are adamant that governments need to go beyond simply adopting some Indigenous burning practices.

"We don't want agencies to adapt and appropriate Indigenous knowledge," said Cardinal Christianson, "without actually empowering Indigenous people and giving them greater stewardship over the land".

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As Canada reels from wildfire, First Nations hope for larger role

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Advocates say that Indigenous communities must be given greater autonomy to engage in traditional burning practices.

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More than 500 fires have been raging across Canadian provinces for nearly a month, spreading an orange-brown haze across eastern Canada and midwest and north-east regions of the US, leading to a suffocating smog extending to major American cities. Toronto and New York have been ranked as the most polluted urban areas affected by Canada's wildfires, according to IQAir.com.

The high concentration of particulate matter in the smoke has led to health officials distributing masks and advising people to stay indoors. As wildfires continue to burn through the rest of the season, until cooler temperatures, rain and snow arrive, further episodes of often very poor air quality are to be expected across parts of the US.

On the other side of the planet, India's annual monsoon arrived early, covering the entire country six days sooner than expected, but rainfall is 10% below average. The monsoon is crucial for India's economy as it provides water for agriculture, replenishes reservoirs and aquifers, and offers relief from the summer heat. After the lower rainfall in June, the India Meteorological Department predicts average rainfall in July, which is essential for summer crops and rural incomes. This timely monsoon will alleviate concerns about agricultural output and benefit farmers who rely heavily on rain due to limited irrigation infrastructure. During El Niño years, India usually receives below-average rainfall.

In the UK, an area of low pressure that was situated to the north has led to some windier conditions lately. Over the weekend this low pressure shifted eastwards across Scandinavia, and with higher pressure across Europe a strong westerly wind was created across the Baltic Sea on Sunday, lasting overnight. Gale-force wind warnings were issued across northern Germany and coastal parts of north-east Europe. Wind speeds of 35-45mph were observed widely, and gusts peaked at up to 60mph in some exposed coastal parts. Low pressure looks likely to remain across Scandinavia into the middle of this week, meaning there could be some further blustery conditions.

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Weather tracker: Toronto and New York ranked most polluted from Canada wildfires

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High concentration of particulate matter has led to health officials distributing masks and advising people to stay indoors

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A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires are often caused by human activity or a natural phenomenon such as lightning, and they can happen at any time or anywhere. In 50% of wildfires recorded, it is not known how they started.

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FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT | AS OF JUNE 22, 2023

A fire restriction is in effect for the High Level, Peace River and Fort McMurray Forest Areas, as well as the northern part of the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

Under this restriction:

Existing fire permits are suspended, and cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.

Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.

Prohibited:

All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas.

The use of fireworks and exploding targets is also prohibited.

Allowed:

Safe wood campfires on private lands and in provincial campgrounds.

Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.

Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.

Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.

Cooking, warming and lighting devices - all devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer's standards.

ACTIVE WILDFIRE AREA | SAFETY MESSAGE

Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.

Dangerous trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.

Reporting wildfires | Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are diverted from essential tasks to respond to fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire, this is normal.

Smoke | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health concerns.

Drones | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada

Dozer guard is one of the many techniques we use to build up containment lines for wildfires. Basset Complex, July 6. WEATHER |
Hot and dry conditions persist with no significant rainfall in the forecast. Today the forecast is as follows: a temperature of 31 degrees, a relative humidity of 25 percent with winds, west 10 km/h.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 8, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM

There are 32 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, seven are classified as out of control (OC), 16 are being held (BH) and nine are under control (UC).To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.

Wildfires of interest

HWF116 | This fire is located approximately 3 km north of the highway 58, east of range road 171. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 48 hectares. There are 12 firefighters, and two helicopter working on this fire today. There is no threat to any homes at this time. Alberta Wildfire has been in communication with County and First Nation partners, providing updates as the situation changes.

HWF115 | This fire is located approximately 20 km north of the highway 58 and highway 88 junction. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 1.1 hectares.

HWF087 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 4,108 hectares. This fire is located approximately 3 km south of Harper Creek. No significant growth has been reported. Structure protection along Harper Creek has been completed as of this morning. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.

HWF083 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 7,268 hectares. This fire is located approximately 34 km southeast of the South Tall Cree boundary at the Wabasca River. Minimal fire behaviour was seen on this fire. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.

HWF072 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 21,716 hectares. T he fire is approximately 14 km southwest of the South Tall Cree boundary at highway 88. Due to the close proximity of this fire to the community, South Tall Cree First Nation has issued an evacuation alert. Mackenzie County has also evacuated the Wadlin Lake campground and closed the road.

Yesterday, the fire was active on the northeast and north side however no significant growth was reported. Heavy equipment, crews and aircraft are making great progress establishing control lines on the northeast side of the fire to limit spread towards the community of South Tall Cree. Aircraft is planned for proactive work this morning and will drop water on hot areas due to the expected hot weather this afternoon. There are 16 firefighters, six helicopters and airtankers will be available as needed.

Alberta Wildfire is in communication with County and First Nation partners and are providing updates as the situation changes.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 8, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
This fire was detected June 9, 2023. This fire is classified as being held (BH) with a last recorded size of 4,553 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries. The fire is located approximately 10 km northwest of Zama City and there has been no significant growth reported. Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make progress on the control lines on the southwest, south and southeast sides to prevent spread towards the community of Zama City.

With no growth reported and progress made by crews and heavy equipment in creating containment lines on the southwest side, structure protection has been taken down in the community. There are 63 wildland firefighters, four helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire. Alberta Wildfire is in communication with Mackenzie County partners and providing updates as the situation changes.

PWF067 activity on the west flank yesterday. July 7, 2023.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079 | JULY 8, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing fire HWF058 within the High Level Forest Area as well as PWF067 and PWF079 within the Peace River Forest Area.
HWF058 | This fire is located approximately 12 km northwest of the of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement boundary marker, where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 36,836 hectares in size.

Firefighters are expecting fire activity to pick-up today and tomorrow due to hot and dry conditions. Firefighters are also expecting southeast winds that will challenge containment lines around the fire. Crews will continue working the southeast flank of the fire to prevent spread and look for any spotting near the dozer guard. Helicopters were bucketing on the area to prevent spread and heavy equipment will be utilized to build-up containment lines. Airtankers are also available if needed.

The fire did see an increase in fire behaviour on the northeast again yesterday. Heavy equipment was able to move across the Chinchaga River to establish dozer guard along the north perimeter and work continues in the area as there is a lot of ground to cover as they move west from the river. Crews and heavy equipment will look for an area to tie into the Chinchaga River for a natural fuel break in order to prevent fire spread. Bucketing operations continued on the northside, along the bay of the north-northeast flank.

The east side of the fire that crossed over to the east side of the Chinchaga River is approximately 15 km north of where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. The excursion on the east side of the fire where the fire crossed the Chinchaga River is sealed in with dozer guard and containment lines are complete. However, there were a few new spots reported on the east side of the Chinchaga River yesterday. Crews and helicopters bucketing will action these areas to contain them, but no major runs occurred.

Firefighters, heavy equipment, and aircraft are working together to cool hotspots in priority areas and establish guards. Guard is still being established along the lower southeast side to tie into the Chinchaga River, to prevent spread towards the community of Paddle Prairie and will be maintained as needed. Contingency lines are being built as precaution to prevent further spread.

PWF067 | This wildfire is located 9 kilometers west of highway 35 and 10 km south of the Keg River. This fire is estimated to be 3,367 hectares in size and is classified as out of control (OC). At this time, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are working on this wildfire and containment lines are being constructed. Heavy equipment has anchored into a nearby lake on the west side and will be creating dozer guard to the north-north central perimeter and the south flank to contain the fire.

Wildfire on the west side did jump the guard and heavy equipment will work to establish a new line today. Firefighters are expecting fire growth to the west as the complex will be experiencing strong southeast winds for the next 72 hours. Helicopters will continue bucketing on fire spread to prevent spread.

The south side of the perimeter also saw movement yesterday and is slowly growing. Crews and heavy equipment will work to prevent spread today and build-up containment lines.

PWF079 | This wildfire was discovered June 29. It is approximately three hectares in size. It is currently classified as under control (UC). Aircraft will continue to monitor for any wildfire activity.

Resources

There are 167 wildland and structural firefighters, 16 helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire. Structural protection crews have established protection on structures along the Chinchaga River and will be assessing other areas that could be at risk due to fire PWF067. Plans are being made to protect structures at risk of PWF067 and equipment will be strategically placed when needed.

The Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to work closely with community members on understanding the local landscape and getting access to the fire ground as well as communicate with council and county partners as the fire situation changes.

Weather

Today, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 33 degrees as we head into a drying trend with south-southeast winds at 15-20 km/h with occasional gusts of 30 km/h. Fire behaviour analysts are expecting a hot and dry weekend and this will create extreme fire behavior for the coming days.

Fire activity has increased due to the hot and dry conditions on the southeast side of fire HBZ003. This fire is to the west of the west side of fire HWF036, on the BC border.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036, HBZ001, HBZ003 | JULY 8, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM

HWF036 | This fire is classified as being held (BH) with a size of 173,349 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.

The fire is still active on the west ern and nort hwestern sides, slowly moving towards the British Columbia border. Heavy equipment, crews, and aircraft continue their work in this area to create and strengthen control lines. Due to the heavy layer of smoke over the wildfire there was no significant growth reported yesterday.

The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited activity fire along this edge. Firefighters continue to monitor and strengthen containment lines in this area. Vegetation inside the fire perimeter continues to burn and firefighters continue to mop up hotspots as they arise. There are 116 firefighters, support staff, nine helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.

Please be aware that there is still active fire burning in the area and internal areas of the fire continue to have hotspots. Residents are reminded not to enter the fire area due to large number of firefighters, aircraft and equipment working. Burnt trees continue to fall which are dangerous.

THE PASKWA - DAVIDSON COMPLEX | JULY 8, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM

HWF030 | The Paskwa fire was detected on May 2, 2023. It extends along the south side of the Peace River from the community of Fox Lake into Wood Buffalo National Park and is approximately 8 km south of the community of Garden River. The wildfire is 96,582 hectares in size and is classified as being held (BH). Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.

Due to the hot and dry conditions there was some activity on the northeast perimeter of the wildfire yesterday. Helicopters and crews will be able to respond and action any activity that occurs. Airtankers are available if requested.

Crews will also continue their work in Fox Lake working house to house to extinguish 250 feet around each structure and 250 feet along roadways. There are areas within the community that are burning deep in the peat moss and these will continue to be worked on by firefighters and heavy equipment and monitored daily in the sections that were previously smoldering.

Smoky conditions will continue in the community as crews pile and burn off debris. This is a controlled and monitored practice to get rid of unwanted downed trees that have been piled to burn off and clean-up the wildfire zone. These burning piles are burning on bare mineral soil and are located away from any structures in town.

There are firefighters, helicopters, and heavy equipment working on the Paskwa-Davidson Complex.

Wood Buffalo National Park | Davidson Lake Complex (Wildfires 8, 9, 11, 13, 14)

For information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.

Evacuation Alerts and Information

Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. The community of Garden River has lifted their evacuation alert. For information regarding the evacuation, please stay informed by visiting the Little Red River Cree Nation's Facebook page.

Smoke from wildfires may hang low to the ground at night and into the early morning due to temperature inversions. A temperature inversion is when warm air "caps" cooler air, causing smoke to be trapped in valley bottoms at night and into the early morning. The trapped smoke generally begins to lift after the sun rises and heats the earth's surface. Inversions can be very dangerous for road conditions and surrounding communities. Visibility can be limited.

If you see smoke that is causing safety concerns to road conditions, please report to Individuals experiencing smoke related health issues can contact Alberta 511. Alberta Health. To see a map showing the smoke forecast please click here.

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!

The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.

Subscribe to the Join the conversation on High Level Forest Area Update to receive an email when new information is posted. Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

WILDFIRE LINKS AND TOOLS

Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province can contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

There are multiple EVACUATION ORDERS & ALERTS in the Province. Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.

For road closure information, please visit: 511.alberta.ca

Wildfire smoke is a tool used for the location of smoke firesmoke.ca

To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS | Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire by clicking here.

Colby Lachance

(ACTING) Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780-404-9186

Email: colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca

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High Level Forest Area Update - July 8, 2023 as of 12:00 p.m.

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High Level Forest Area, Fire Ban and OHV restriction in effect, Extreme fire danger,

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B.C.'s largest wildfire on record now eclipses the entire area of Prince Edward Island, and experts say after it's done burning, there could be a commercial rush for burnt timber that could further change the landscape for the worse.

The Donnie Creek wildfire is burning over 5,715 square kilometres as of July 2, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Mike Flannigan, professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University, said the amount of land burned so far is astronomical.

The Donnie Creek wildfire has charred enough land to count as the fifth-worst fire season of all time in the province all on its own, according to the professor.

"It will continue to burn for weeks and probably until the end of the fire season. It may actually burn through winter, smouldering in deeper organic layers, and then pop up," he told CBC News.

"It's an enormous chunk and you can see it from space, how large this area is."

The giant blaze, which started well before traditional wildfire season usually begins in B.C., is leading to concerns for the unique trees that make up the boreal forest in the province's northeast, as well as the animals whose habitats might be irrevocably changed.

Flannigan said the historic wildfire season would not have been possible if not for human-caused climate change, as a warmer world causes more lightning strikes - which lead to around half of all fires, and ones that burn for longer.

"The warmer it gets, the more efficient the atmosphere is at sucking the moisture of the fuels ... on the forest floor," he said.

"Unless we see more rain to compensate for this drying effect ... it's easier for a fire to start, easier for a fire to spread, and it means more fuel is available to burn."

Flannigan said that, for fires as large as Donnie Creek, it's best to let it burn out and let "Mother Nature do her thing."

Concern for carbon stores, animals

Kevin Smith, manager of the boreal program at environmental non-profit Ducks Unlimited, said forests have historically evolved alongside wildfires - but gigantic fires like Donnie Creek are changing the environment around them.

"Those shifts in patterns are not only increasing the amount of carbon emitted but also changing the vegetation that's coming back," he said. "Because the organic part of the soils in these catastrophic higher intensity fires, they're burning off.

"What comes back after that is very different from what was previously there."

Smith said the trees charred by the Donnie Creek blaze - black spruce, aspen, pine and tamarack - could be replaced by other vegetation over the coming decades.

"The concern is that the boreal forest in many areas with a much drier and warmer climate could start to shift toward more of a grassland savannah," he said.

Jesse Zeman, executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, said the area where the Donnie Creek fire is burning is home to smaller fur-bearing animals - like and - as well as larger animals like moose.

He said smaller animals may not have been able to escape the fire, but there may be a silver lining to the blaze once it is finally extinguished.

"As long as we manage the landscape properly after the fire, we're hopeful that we will see a response in moose populations in that area," he said.

However, Zeman said he's concerned about "salvage logging" - when industries move in to seek burnt timber after a wildfire is extinguished, likening it to a "gold rush" mentality.

Zeman said the "outdated" practice is due to economic considerations.

Burned wood can be used for fuel as well as in the production of pulp and paper. But research has found that wood decay after a wildfire reduces timber quality, so companies seek to recover as much freshly burned wood as possible before the multi-year decay process begins.

"Salvage logging tends to bring a lot of roads and trails. It brings a lot of weeds," he said. "You don't see regeneration of the forest nearly as quickly as you would by leaving those trees standing or leaving kind of a more diverse landscape."

Smith said policymakers should consider valuing areas that store high amounts of carbon, like the boreal forests, at the same level as they do life and property when they look at wildfire and forest management policies in the years to come.
Check the CBC News Climate Dashboard for live updates on wildfire smoke and active fires across the country. Set your location for information on air quality and to find out how today's temperatures compare to historical trends.

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What happens after the Donnie Creek wildfire, now larger than P.E.I., stops burning? | CBC News

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B.C.'s largest wildfire on record now eclipses the entirety of Prince Edward Island, and experts say after it's done burning, there could be a commercial rush for burnt timber that could further change the landscape for the worse.

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Wildfire roundup: A look at what's burning across the country and who's affected

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Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has said images of wildfires burning across Canada are some of the most severe ever witnessed in the country and the forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.

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On June 5, 2023, as over 200 wildfires raged across the country, the federal government through a whole-of-cabinet approach issued a lengthy official update informing Canadians that "current June projections indicate the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity across most of the country throughout the 2023 wildland fire season." With the wildfire season typically running May through October, the hottest months of this season still lay ahead.

The research scope of the Disaster Lab examines how disasters, migrations, and citizenship have been historically shaped by government responses. More often than not, and certainly in the here and now of 2023, the impact of climate disasters on human displacement will only worsen.

The overt focus this past week on the " post-apocalyptic " imagery coming out of urban centres such as Toronto and New York feels like the manifestation of decades of First World disassociation in being only able to comprehend ecological ruin to popular movies steeped in sepia filters. These comparisons are also deeply rooted in settler colonial logics that marginalize how climate disasters negatively impact Indigenous communities first.
Wildfire Impacts on Indigenous Peoples
For example, in 1991, close to 7000 people were evacuated from the First Nations and Innu communities of Montagnais Reserve of Betsiamites and the communities of Ragueneau and Baie Comeau in Northern Quebec. Of the 113 nation-wide wildfire disasters recorded by the Canadian Disaster Database between 1911 to present day, First Nations communities are disproportionately impacted.

Presently, one of the hardest hit communities are the Algonquins of Barriere Lake whose territories are located along the present-day Ontario-Quebec border. Surrounded by fires from the East, North, and West, at least 500 people have been evacuated to Gatineau and Maniwaki ( Ka'nhehsí:io Deer for CBC Indigenous & Avanthika Anand for CBC Ottawa). Many are unsure if the cabins they live in year-round will survive through the season. As Deer reports, the 750 members of Lac Simon Anishnabe Nation was pre-emptively evacuated to Val d'Or (and have since returned home) while Kitigan Zibi, located two hours north of Ottawa and home to over 1500, have remained on high alert for possible evacuation.

Meanwhile, Ontario's Premier Doug Ford refused to acknowledge there is even a connection between the intensity of this year's fires with climate change because wildfires " happen every single year." Within the last one hundred years, there has only been a handful of times when more than 100 forest fires have burned simultaneously in Ontario and Quebec. One instance was in the summer of 1955, when at the height of the wildfire season in July and August, more than 100 forest fires burned across the region for more than four weeks. 150 forest fires were recorded on August 5 alone, costing the federal government an estimated $24,402,775 (presumably in 1955 figures). While wildfires are naturally occurring phenomenons, their intensity has significantly risen from drier hotter weather conditions since the 1980s, which is also the earliest data points for the Canadian National Fire Database maintained by Natural Resources Canada.
Wildfire Comparison Between 2011 and 2023
As seen above and below, users can generate their own maps of fire behaviour on the CNFDB site, but only between 2000 to present-day. With this date restriction applied, I generated a comparison between the hundreds of wildfires burning this week (June 7, 2023) and when 112 fires were simultaneously burning across Ontario (July 20, 2011). According to the CDD, the July 2011 wildfires caused the largest evacuation of people in central Canada between the year 2000 to present day when over 3300 people (from over ten different First Nations communities) needed to be evacuated.
Blame Game
Counting only for the month July of 2018, 549 wildfires were recorded across Ontario. Despite the staggering total figure of "1,325 fires that burned over 275,000 ha of land" that is double the 10-year average in 2018, and the already 33,000 ha burned in the first week of June of 2023, the Premier recently dismissed his critics who asked him to confirm the existence of climate change as " politicizing the wildfires." Climate change is a political issue because every government has policies and budgets dedicated to its prevention and relief. However, to continue approaching climate change as a partisan issue and accepting this intensity of wildfires as perfectly natural and a "new normal" is a form of harm.

South of the border, Americans have unhelpfully reframed the culprit of the hazardous air quality to be "Canadian wildfires." Holding onto the last shred of American exceptionalism, where the wealthiest country in the world since WWII can still reap all the benefits of plundering nature, but be spared the fault and consequences, the blame for over a century of over consumption has been squarely blamed on a foreign nation rather than the global issue of climate change.

As a cheeky reference to Comedy Central's South Park and a summation of how US media has generally framed these wildfires (and climate change in general) as foreign problems, the lack of solemnity to climate disasters remains the greatest danger to us all.

- Amy Fung

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Share: Twitter, Facebook
Short URL: https://carleton.ca/thedisasterlab/?p=269

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On June 5, 2023, as over 200 wildfires raged across the country, the federal government through a whole-of-cabinet approach issued a lengthy official update informing Canadians that "current June projections indicate the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity across most of the country throughout the 2023 wildland fire season."

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June 19, 2023 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Canada is facing unprecedented impacts from forest fires this year, with the increased intensity of this year's wildfire season being felt by communities across the country. The Government of Canada continues to work with provinces, territories and other partners to assist those who have been forced from their homes or have been impacted by smoke, heat and other challenges.

As Canadians help each other through these challenges, it is important to know what we can do to protect ourselves and our families. Wildfires produce thick smoke that can lead to both minor and more serious health issues. Smoke can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres from the fire zone, so even if you're not close to a fire, you can still be affected by the smoke. There is no safe level of exposure to wildfire smoke as it can pose a risk to your health even at very low levels.

Everyone is at risk from wildfire smoke but especially young children, people who are pregnant, people who smoke, seniors, people involved in outdoor work or sports and people with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions, such as lung or heart conditions and diabetes.

To help protect ourselves and our loved ones, there are certain actions we can take to limit our exposure to the harmful wildfire smoke, including:

Pay attention to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) or other indicators of smoke levels in your area to help identify your level of risk and actions you can take to protect your health. Take note of any special air quality statements issued as part of your weather forecast.

Limit outdoor activity and strenuous physical activities as much as possible when the air quality is affected by smoke.

If you can, protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke by keeping windows and doors closed, and using a clean good quality air filter in your ventilation system. If possible, consider using a portable air purifier to remove smoke from your home and/or turning on your air conditioning.

If it's difficult to find clean, cool air, contact your local jurisdiction for information on local cooling and clean air spaces. This is also something you can do during extreme heat events.

If you must spend time outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitted respirator type mask such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator.

Take care of your mental health during a wildfire smoke event. Anyone who is having trouble coping with symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression should seek help from a health professional.

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are working with other federal departments, such as Indigenous Services Canada, Public Safety and Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as provincial and territorial partners, to reduce the risks to people in Canada from air pollution created by wildfire smoke. This includes providing advice, health and environmental information to the public through the AQHI, as well as helping health jurisdictions create and manage cleaner air spaces by providing technical expertise, public health guidance, and air quality monitoring equipment when requested.

In addition to providing information and public health guidance on layers of protection, we are also working with provinces and territories, as well as community organizations such as The North West Company to facilitate the availability of NIOSH certified N95 respirators for vulnerable populations.

To boost air quality monitoring capacity, Health Canada has sent 6 air quality monitors to Nova Scotia and 24 to Quebec. We have also provided two monitors to the Yukon, with additional sensors to follow later this month. These will be used by long-term care facilities and hospitals to test both indoor and outdoor air. In response to a request from British Columbia First Nations Health Authority, Health Canada is procuring an additional 25 indoor air quality monitors.

More broadly, the Government of Canada is supporting affected First Nations through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, and is also working with partners to match funds from donors to support those affected by the fires.

Quotes

"We are currently living through devastating wildfires across the country during one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. These events can harm our communities and our health, which is why we are working with all partners to mitigate this situation, reduce the risk to people from air pollution, and support those affected. During these times, we should all take the necessary actions to protect our health and wellbeing, including knowing the air quality in our communities and reducing exposure to wildfire smoke."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

"As wildfires continue to threaten communities across the country, we are working closely with impacted provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to ensure effective coordination and adequate resources are in place to minimize the impact. We are deeply grateful to the first responders, firefighters, community volunteers, and all those working around the clock to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Thank you for answering the call."

Honourable Bill Blair
President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

There are approx. 8000 wildfires each year in Canada with human-caused events representing 55% and lightning 45% of all wildfires.

Health Canada estimates that between 2013 and 2018, up to 240 premature deaths per year were attributable to short-term exposure and up to 2500 premature deaths per year were attributable to long-term exposure to particles () in wildfire smoke.

Between 2013 and 2018 the annual economic valuation of the health impacts was estimated at $410M-$1.8B for acute health impacts and $4.3B-$19B for chronic health impacts.

According to the Canada in a Changing Climate report (2022) increasing wildfire emissions are one of the most significant climate-related risks to air quality in Canada. Canada needs to prepare for a future with more wildfires.

Canada's average annual temperature is increasing at a rate of almost double the global average.

The AQHI uses a scale to show the health risk associated with the air pollution we breathe.

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Public Health Update on the Health Effects of Wildfires

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Canada is facing unprecedented impacts from forest fires this year, with the increased intensity of this year's wildfire season being felt by communities across the country.

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Latest Canada wildfire updates: US extends air quality alerts

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Millions of people are affected as massive blazes in Canada blanket cities across North America in smoke.

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(Possibly just skim through)

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These fires occur in forests, shrub lands and grasslands. Some are uncontrolled wildfires started by lightning or human carelessness. A small number are prescribed fires set by authorized forest managers to mimic natural fire processes that renew and maintain healthy ecosystems.

Wildland fire management: balancing the bad and the good

Wildland fires present a challenge for forest management because they have the potential to be at once harmful and beneficial. They can threaten communities and destroy vast amounts of timber resources, resulting in costly losses.

However, wildland fires are a natural part of the forest ecosystem and important in many parts of Canada for maintaining the health and diversity of the forest. In this way, prescribed fires offer a valuable resource management tool for enhancing ecological conditions and eliminating excessive fuel build-up.

Not all wildland fires should (or can) be controlled. Forest agencies work to harness the force of natural fire to take advantage of its ecological benefits while at the same time limiting its potential damage and costs.

This makes fire control strategies a vital component of forest management and emergency management in Canada.

Understanding the complex phenomenon of wildland fire begins with understanding the basic physical aspects of fire and the ecological role of fire in forests and other wildland areas. Increasingly accurate assessments of the fire situation across Canada are now helping land managers use forest science to reduce fire risk and optimize the benefits.

Fire research by the CFS and its partners

The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) has been involved in fire research for decades. The CFS works with partners across the country to increase the knowledge base about wildland fires, and to improve the ability of authorities to predict and manage risks and benefits.
Key areas of research include:

studying wildland fire behaviour, including how fuel ignites, flame develops and fire spreads

analyzing the ecological role of fire in Canada's many different forests, and exploring how a changing climate will affect the occurrence and behaviour of fire and other forest disturbances

assessing current fire activity by monitoring forest conditions, keeping track of current fires and evaluating the risk of new fires starting

implementation of all aspects of wildland fire management-from developing prevention strategies to protect people, property and the forest resource, to using fire to attain forestry, wildlife and land-use objectives, and supporting the efforts of the jurisdictions responsible for firefighting

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These fires occur in forests, shrub lands and grasslands. Some are uncontrolled wildfires started by lightning or human carelessness. A small number are prescribed fires set by authorized forest managers to mimic natural fire processes that renew and maintain healthy ecosystems. Wildland fires present a challenge for forest management because they have the potential to be at once harmful and beneficial.

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Canadian Wildland Fire Information System | Canadian National Fire Database (CNFDB)

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Disclaimer: The information, maps and data services available through the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System are approximations based on available data, and may not show the most current fire situation. For additional maps and information on the current conditions, please visit the fire mana…

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Over the past six weeks, hundreds of out-of-control wildfires have spread across Canada, causing mass evacuations and burning through millions of acres.

While the Canada wildfire season runs from May through October, such destruction this early in the season is rare. Canada is on track to have its most destructive wildfire season in history.

This Canadian crisis has not been limited to the Great North. Smoke from has spread across large portions of the U.S., affecting air quality for millions as the fires rage on without signs of stopping. Dramatic photos of the haze that covered major American cities show the toll the smoke has taken.

What caused the Canadian wildfires ?

Warm and dry conditions are like kindling for wildfires. Much of Canada, like the rest of North America, has experienced record heat and drought recently as climate change continues to warm the planet.

"The fires season is also lasting longer now because of climate change. Spring is coming weeks earlier and fall is coming weeks later. More time for the fires and grasslands to burn," Edward Struzik, a fellow at Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University in Canada and author of "Dark Days at Noon, The Future of Fire" told CBS News.

In 2021, Canada experienced its hottest day ever when Lytton, British Columbia hit 49.6 degrees Celsius, 121 degrees Fahrenheit, smashing the previous record of 113 degrees. It tied California's Death Valley as the hottest place in North America that day.

In the Canadian prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba - where fires now rage - drought has hit particularly hard. According to the Canada Drought Monitor, all 10 provinces are experiencing abnormal dryness, moderate or severe drought.

Struzik said the jet stream, which creates weather and moves it from west to east, also contributes to the fires. It's getting weaker, he said, because its strength depends on the temperature differences between the Arctic and the south. "Now that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world, the jet stream is weaker, a little wonkier. That's one reason why we see hot, dry weather systems stall, allowing heat domes to build and set the stage for fire," he said.

According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, the destruction from these fires up to this point in the season has been 13 times worse than the 10-year average.

How did the fires in Canada start?

Dry, hot weather also breeds more lightning. In a normal season, half of Canada's wildfires are started by lightning, but those fires account for more than 85% of wildfire destruction. The other half are human-caused.

What might seem like slight increases in average temperatures have major consequences.

"Most fires in the boreal forest of northern Canada are started by lightning. A one-degree Celsius increase in temperature amounts to about 12% more lightning. So the warmer it gets as the climate heats up, the more triggers there are for fires to burn," said Struzik.

In Quebec, for example, fires were sparked by lightning, but officials in Alberta have said that the cause of fires there is currently unknown. Elsewhere in the country, these fires have been human-caused in various ways from discarded cigarette butts to sparks from passing trains.

Why are the Canadian wildfires out of control?

Harsh weather conditions are fueling these fast-spreading fires, making them extremely difficult to combat.

The country is currently at "national preparedness level 5," meaning Canada has fully committed all its national resources to mobilize the fight against the fires.

Chris Stockdale, a wildland fire research officer with the Canadian Forest service, told CBS News last month that as part of that "level 5" declaration, "international liaison officers" from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are flying in to help fight the fires.

President Biden sent firefighters from the U.S. and pointed to climate change as a driver of the fires.

"We've deployed more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and equipment to support Canada as they respond to record wildfires - events that are intensifying because of the climate crisis," he said in a tweet.

And hold little hope. Earlier this month the Canadian government issued an updated outlook for the wildfire season stating that, "current June projections indicate the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity across most of the country throughout the 2023 wildland fire season due to ongoing drought and long-range forecasts for warm temperatures."

Wildfire smoke sparks air quality issues in U.S.

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has caused poor air quality in several parts of the U.S.

Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit recorded some of the worst air quality in the world on June 27 as wildfire smoke from Quebec seeped into the Midwest.

Earlier this month, as New York City suffocated under a thick smog that turned the skies orange and shrouded its skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, Sen. Chuck Schumer said on the floor of the Senate that climate change was driving the smoke blanketing the Eastern seaboard.

"These Canadian wildfires are truly unprecedented and we cannot ignore that climate change continues to make these disasters worse," he said. "Warmer temperatures and severe droughts mean forests burn faster, burn hotter and burn bigger, and the warming is happening at a faster pace in countries with higher latitudes. None of this - none of this is coincidence."

The East Coast of the U.S. now appears mostly clear, but some areas are in the yellow or "moderate" zone of the air quality index, which means the air quality is acceptable, but could pose a risk for some people.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article misstated the record temperature. The former record is 113 degrees; the current record was set in 2021.
Protecting the Planet: Climate Change News & Features
More

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How did the Canadian wildfires start? A look at what caused the fires that are sending smoke across the U.S.

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Canada is on track to have its most destructive wildfire season in history.

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What to Know About Canadian Wildfires and U.S. Air Quality

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The ongoing outbreak of fires in Canada is sending new waves of smoke into the American Midwest, and the pollution has been seen as far away as Europe.

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Why is the topic of forest fires in Canada important? (NOTED)

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Why is the topic of forest fires in Canada important? (NOTED)

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What is their impact on a national scale? What is the response? (NOTED)

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What is their impact on a national scale? What is the response? (NOTED)

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Which communities have been most effected?

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Which communities have been most effected?

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What is their impact on a global scale? What is the response?(NOTED)

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What is their impact on a global scale? What is the response?(NOTED)

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Why have there been so many forest fires in Canada? How have they been impacting people?

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Why have there been so many forest fires in Canada? How have they been impacting people?