Canada is still burning. During a press conference this Thursday, transcribed by our colleagues at Radio-Canada, the authorities took stock of the numerous forest fires that have ravaged the North American country since the beginning of the year. Currently, at least 458 fires are still active, more than half of which are not under control.
“The worst may not be behind us, but it may be ahead,” Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault warned.
Towards a record year?
“Predictions by scientists from Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada tell us that we will probably have a very dry and very hot summer and therefore very favorable conditions for more forest fires,” he justified.
“Unfortunately, it seems more and more like this is the new normal,” laments her colleague Joyce Murray.
According to authorities, at least 5.4 million hectares have been bulldozed in Canada since the beginning of the year. It’s several hundred thousand hectares in a few days.
Since 1983, only 1989 (5.9 million hectares) and 1995 (7.1) have had higher death tolls, according to data published by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC). on your website.
Last week, smoke from the fires affected tens of millions of Americans. An episode of rare air pollution that constitutes “a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change,” according to US President Joe Biden.
Source: BFM TV
