Canadian wildfires: What Canada is doing about the various infernos
Jack Birle
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Wildfires in Canada have caused air quality problems in cities from Chicago to New York City to Washington, D.C., in the past month, and hundreds of infernos still burn through the country.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center says there are 588 active wildfires in the country, with 285 rated as “out of control.” A combined 181 of the fires are in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which border states as far west as Minnesota and as far east as Maine.
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The center has rated the current national preparedness level as a five, the most extreme rating, saying demand for resources to fight the fire is high. Current conditions, including hot temperatures and generally dry weather, have exasperated the fires.
In the middle of June, the Canadian government assured residents of Quebec that help was being brought to communities affected by the numerous wildfires.
“Quebecers can be assured that all orders of government are working together to keep them and their communities safe during this difficult time. As the impacts of the wildfires continue to be felt across the country, it’s all-hands-on-deck when it comes to managing the fires. I would like to reiterate our commitment to helping those affected, and extend my sincere thanks to all first responders and members the Canadian Armed Forces,” Bill Blair, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister of emergency preparedness, said in a statement on June 16.
As the wildfires have continued to ravage Canada, the United States has issued support with fighting the fires. Last month, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced an enhanced wildland fire cooperation agreement between the two countries. The agreement provides that “mutual aid is efficiently and effectively deployed where it is needed most, on both sides of the border.”
“The United States and Canada have a long history of working together to fight wildfires across North America. This arrangement builds on this proud history to improve how we cooperate at all levels to meet the growing wildfire threat. As climate change continues to threaten communities, infrastructure, forests and rangelands, finding new ways to work together is essential,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement on June 23.
“I am confident that this arrangement between our two nations, coupled with critical reforms and investments we aim to secure in President Biden’s FY24 budget for our federal wildland firefighter workforce, will improve how we protect firefighters and communities and share resources, information and expertise as we tackle this crisis together,” he added.
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The U.S. has not seen a wide number of wildfires in the Western states, such as California, so far in 2023. The Golden State was inundated with a nearly constant barrage of rain storms from December 2022 until March 2023, meaning plants are not as dry as in normal years, but wildfire season does not intensify until the later summer months.
With the intense fires and dry conditions, several cities in Canada scrapped fireworks shows as part of their Canada Day celebrations on July 1. With Independence Day on Tuesday in the U.S., most cities are moving forward with traditional fireworks shows, even in traditionally fireworks-strict California.