Canada is bracing for what could be the second-worst wildfire season on record, with officials warning of a dangerous summer ahead, particularly in British Columbia. A recent technical briefing in Ottawa shed light on the current state of wildfires across the country and the outlook for the coming months.

Michael Norton, director general of the Northern Forestry Centre with Natural Resources Canada, emphasized the expectation of a hot and dry summer, leading to increased fire danger conditions in western and northern Canada. So far, wildfires have ravaged 3.7 million hectares of land, which is six times the size of Prince Edward Island.

On average, wildfires have consumed about 800,000 hectares annually since 2014, with a significant portion of the burned area in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. While the season started normally in the early spring, the situation deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks due to higher temperatures and low precipitation on top of already dry conditions.

Environment and Climate Change Canada's modeling indicates that temperatures will be above normal by a degree or two through August, with central and western provinces and territories facing the highest risk of wildfires. Southern British Columbia is forecasted to have an extreme fire risk in July, while southwestern B.C., including Vancouver Island, is expected to experience hotter and drier conditions than usual.

Canada has enlisted international aid to combat the 225 active wildfires, with firefighters from the United States, Australia, and potentially Costa Rica joining the efforts. The upcoming G7 summit in Alberta will address the global impact of wildfires, focusing on strengthening multilateral efforts to prevent, fight, and recover from these disasters.

Officials will discuss the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, which covers all aspects of wildfires, including mitigation, response, and recovery. The G7 members have already expressed support for the charter, recognizing the global implications of wildfires and the need for collaborative action.

The discussion at the G7 summit is expected to center around enhancing equipment interoperability among member countries during emergencies and utilizing satellite imagery for wildfire management. The relevance of this topic has been underscored by recent wildfires in Los Angeles and the Prairies, highlighting the interconnected nature of this threat among G7 nations.

As wildfires continue to pose a significant risk, an out-of-control wildfire near Squamish, B.C., has led to evacuations at Alice Lake Provincial Park. Meanwhile, favorable weather conditions in Saskatchewan have allowed residents in La Ronge and Cranberry Portage to begin returning home.

With the wildfire season intensifying, Canada remains vigilant in its efforts to combat this growing threat and protect its communities from the devastating impact of wildfires.

Sources: SooToday.com