Alleviation of threat due to vast wildfire in western Canada observed

Canada Experiences Second Worst Wildfire Season on Record

Canada is currently grappling with its second worst wildfire season on record, surpassing the 7.1 million hectare mark set in 1995. This year, nearly 7.6 million hectares have been scorched, an area roughly the size of Panama.

One of the major blazes is the Mount Underwood fire, located on Vancouver Island. This fire is part of a trend of increased wildfire activity near the coast, a shift that historically has not been common in coastal areas of Canada.

The Mount Underwood fire season is contributing to Canada's current wildfire crisis, making it one of the country's worst seasons since data collection began in 1983. Despite its intensity, the fire is not expected to surpass the 17.3 million hectares burned in 2023, an extraordinary toll.

The evacuation alert for Port Alberni, a city in British Columbia, has been rescinded. For more than a week, nearly 20,000 people in the city had been on standby to evacuate. Port Alberni's Mayor Sharie Minions stated that the fire has not grown, and the city is relieved.

The Mount Underwood fire is not the only major blaze this summer in Canada. Experts attribute the increasing number and intensity of wildfires to climate change, which has caused elevated temperatures, reduced snow, shorter and milder winters, and earlier summer weather.

Özden Terli, a meteorologist or climate scientist associated with studying the increasing number and intensity of wildfires on the Canadian coast, has linked the trend to climate change. Terli's research suggests that the trend is likely to continue, posing a significant threat to coastal communities in the future.

Despite the challenges, there is some good news. The Mount Underwood fire is not currently expected to grow, according to Port Alberni's Mayor Sharie Minions. This news brings a sense of relief to the affected communities, who have been closely monitoring the situation.

As Canada continues to battle wildfires, efforts are being made to understand the causes and find solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on wildfire activity. The country's second worst wildfire season on record serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.