Canada has been grappling with devastating wildfires for weeks, with an alarming 500 fires currently burning across the country, the majority of which are out of control. The impact of these fires is being felt far and wide, as smoke from the infernos is reaching as far as Europe. We have compiled a collection of videos and pictures that showcase the scale of the Canadian wildfires and the havoc they have wreaked.
One striking image captured from a Canadian Forces helicopter surveying the area near Mistissini, Quebec, shows flames reaching skywards along the edge of a wildfire. These fires in Quebec were ignited by lightning strikes. In Alberta, however, the cause of the fires remains unknown, although the province, along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, has been plagued by severe droughts. These dry conditions, coupled with record-breaking heat, have contributed to the rapid spread of the fires.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, the wildfires in Canada during May and June have resulted in an unprecedented level of emissions. What’s more concerning is that many of these fires show no signs of subsiding.
As of June 28, the Interagency Forest Fire Center in Canada reports that there are currently 500 active fires burning in the country, with 256 of them being uncontrollable. These fires have already scorched an astonishing 8.1 million hectares (equivalent to more than 31,000 square miles) of land. The provinces of Quebec and British Columbia have been particularly hard-hit.
The impact of these wildfires extends beyond Canada’s borders, with cities in the United States also experiencing deteriorating air quality. Meteorologists from The Weather Channel have affirmed that cities closer to the source of the fires will bear the brunt of the smoke, leading to intensified levels of smoke and poorer air quality.
Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit had some of the world’s worst air quality on Tuesday. The smoke emanating from the northern wildfires created “very unhealthy” air conditions, prompting authorities to advise against prolonged outdoor exposure, especially for individuals with respiratory sensitivities. Residents likened the training sessions in the smoky air to high-altitude training.
By Thursday, the air quality in Minneapolis had improved to a “moderate” level, but Detroit and Chicago still grappled with “unhealthy” air conditions. The effects of the wildfire smoke have also reached the East Coast, with cities such as Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia issuing air quality alerts. Washington, D.C. currently holds the unfortunate distinction of having the world’s worst air quality.
The impact of the Canadian wildfire smoke has even stretched as far as Europe. Images from NASA’s Terra satellite show the smoke drifting across the Atlantic and affecting countries such as Spain and Portugal. Satellite images further substantiate these findings as they depict a smoke cloud from the ongoing Quebec wildfires hovering over the city of Vigo in northwestern Spain.
The Canadian wildfires and their far-reaching consequences highlight the urgent need for strong measures to combat climate change and mitigate the devastating effects of such disasters. It is crucial that we continue to raise awareness, support affected communities, and endeavor to protect our planet for future generations.
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