A new report from the World Weather Attribution has revealed that the severity of eastern Canada’s wildfire season this spring was exacerbated by extreme fire weather conditions caused by climate change. The World Weather Attribution consists of global climate scientists who analyze extreme weather events to determine the influence of climate change. The report, published on Tuesday, also found that the fires, which burned across 13 million hectares of land through May and June, had significant impacts on air quality. In fact, the Canadian wildfires had a detrimental effect on air quality in both Canada and the neighboring United States, with Air Quality Index values frequently exceeding safe levels in the midwest and northeast USA, and in some cases, reaching record levels.
The consequences of the wildfires’ impact on air quality extended beyond the burned areas and posed threats to the health, mobility, and economic activities of people across North America. As a result, schools and outdoor public events were canceled in various regions, including Ontario, Ottawa, Toronto, and several U.S. states like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
The study identified fire weather as a major factor behind the extensive wildfires and smoky skies that engulfed the east coast of North America earlier this year. Canada experienced its warmest May-June period since 1940, with low humidity levels contributing to even hotter and drier conditions. These changes in temperature and humidity were driven by human-induced warming, although the conditions were further intensified by unusually low rainfall.
If climate change continues on its current trajectory and the world warms by 2 degrees Celsius, as projected, the likelihood and intensity of extreme fire weather and wildfires are expected to increase. The report noted that “moderately extreme events” like the wildfires in Canada this year are projected to occur every 20 to 25 years.
The study also highlighted the impact of climate change on the severity of Québec’s 2023 fire season, stating that it was around 50% more intense due to climate change. Seasons of this severity are now at least seven times more likely to occur, and peak fire weather similar to what was experienced this year is at least twice as likely. Fire management strategies and resources dedicated to managing these events should be revised and increased as fire seasons become more intense.
In conclusion, the World Weather Attribution report underscores the role of climate change in exacerbating Canada’s wildfire season and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address the increasing severity of fire weather conditions.
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