Six million hectares of forest have been burned since January in Canada, an area 18 times higher than the average of the last 10 years, according to the Government, which warned Monday of the degradation of air quality in the country.
“Canadians are facing unprecedented repercussions from the bushfires and what is most worrying is that the peak of the season will not be reached for a few weeks,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said at a news conference. .
In total, 423 fires are active in the country, half of which are out of control, both in the east and in the west. More than 100,000 people have been displaced this year in Canada by wildfires.
On the other hand, Canada’s top public health official, Theresa Tam, warned: “It doesn’t matter where you live: smoking can bother you.”
In particular, he stressed, the biggest threat comes from the many pollutants and fine particles found in smoke.
In areas heavily affected by smoke from the fires, the authorities have opened centers where air is filtered and have already recommended that people avoid leaving the house and, if they do, that they wear a mask.
Also, a heat wave will affect parts of eastern Canada, especially Quebec, starting Tuesday, with temperatures well above normal.
Canada, which due to its geographical location is warming faster than the rest of the planet, has suffered extreme weather events in recent years, the intensity and frequency of which are increasing due to climate change.
Source: TSF
