Category: wildfire season

Thousands Allowed Back Home, but Officials Say Wildfires Still Leaving Many Displaced

People in parts of Alberta and British Columbia are returning home after wildfire evacuation orders were lifted Thursday. Thanks to recent rain and favourable winds, roughly 2,000 residents from Tumbler Ridge, B.C., were allowed to return home. An evacuation order was also lifted for the town of Edson, Alta., and surrounding area, allowing more than…


Canada Is Experiencing Its ‘Worst Wildfire Season of the 21St Century’: Blair

Canada is experiencing its worst wildfire season of the 21st century. Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair announced the grim milestone Monday, saying more than 47,000 square kilometres have burned so far this year, with 431 wildfires currently burning across Canada. One of those continues to threaten the Alberta community of Edson, where 8,400 residents remain…


‘Worst Wildfire Season:’ Quebec Makes Progress as Wind Fuels Flames out West

Quebec was on the offensive in its battle against a record wildfire season as gusting winds fuelled growing blazes out West, and the federal government said it would provide free travel documents and visa extensions for people affected across the country. “This now qualifies, unfortunately, as Canada’s worstwildfire season of the 21st century,” Emergency Preparedness…


Nearly 350 Firefighters From the EU Will Help Battle Relentless Canadian Wildfires

A battalion of nearly 350 firefighters from theEuropean Union will soon be on the ground in Quebec to help their Canadian counterparts tackle a devastating and unprecedented wildfire season. One hundred and nine firefighters from France arrived last Thursday and spent the weekend dousing flames in Quebec, where fires have forced nearly 14,000 people to…


Light Rain Arrives in Nova Scotia as Two Major Wildfires Burn out of Control

Scattered showers are moving across parts of Nova Scotia this morning, providing some relief to a province still struggling with its worst wildfire season on record. The forecast is calling for steady rain tonight and into Saturday, but two major wildfires continue to burn out of control—one northwest of downtown Halifax and another larger fire…


Newsom Under Fire For California Wildfire Claims

Critics are lashing out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom following a report that claims he misled the public about his wildfire prevention accomplishments. “Governor Newsom’s deceitfulness and half steps don’t cut it. He is a self-serving hypocrite who needs to get his priorities straight,” Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff) said in a press release in response…


Mismanagement Contributes to Longer Fire Seasons, Researchers Say 

California’s wildfire season is getting longer, according to University of California–Irvine (UCI) environmental engineers, who say poor fire management practices contributed to the most wildfires. In a study published April 22, UCI researchers analyzed California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) wildfire statistics from 2000 to 2019, comparing the data with the period of 1920 to 1999. Researchers found the annual…