Over 3.5 million hectares scorched as towns brace for evacuation
Canada’s wildfire crisis is escalating, with more than 3.5 million hectares burned and over 30,000 people evacuated as of mid-June. Emergency declarations remain in place in several provinces, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as out-of-control fires continue to threaten communities, infrastructure, and air quality.
In British Columbia, Squamish, a town of 25,000 located just 65 kilometres from Vancouver, has become the latest flashpoint. Fires intensified rapidly over the past 48 hours, growing from 20 to 200 hectares in a single evening and prompting emergency warnings for potential evacuations. Residents have begun soaking rooftops and preparing emergency bags.
“It’s frightening how fast it’s moving,” said one resident, while another added, “I’ve packed and I’m ready to leave if needed.”
Firefighting under strain as season worsens
There are currently 225 active wildfires across Canada, with more than 100 considered out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Many of the fires are human-caused- often sparked accidentally in unusually dry conditions.
In Saskatchewan, local officials said this has been the worst start to the fire season in years. Premier Scott Moe acknowledged that recent weeks had been “brutal,” though some evacuees are cautiously beginning to return home.
Global air quality impacts
Smoke from the fires has had transcontinental effects. In North America, air quality alerts were issued across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast, including in Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York. Atmospheric scientists also reported that smoke plumes have reached parts of Europe, carried by high-altitude winds across the Atlantic.
Climate change accelerating crisis
Scientists continue to stress the role of climate change in amplifying wildfire conditions. Canada is warming at twice the global average, leading to shorter winters, less snowpack, and drier summers, all of which contribute to extreme fire behaviour.
Already, the area burned this year is triple the 10-year average for this time of year, and experts warn the worst may still be ahead. The scale and speed of this year’s fires are being compared to the catastrophic 2023 season- the worst in Canadian history- when 18 million hectares were burned.
Also read: Mass evacuations as wildfires rage in Canada
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