Canada Faces Increased Risk of Severe Wildfire Days, Study Finds
A new study reveals that Canada is at greater risk for severe wildfires due to dry forest conditions and climate change impacts
Canada, Wildfires, Climate Change, Jasper, Quebec, British Columbia
Jasper: A recent study shows that Canadian forests are becoming more vulnerable to severe wildfires. This highlights the urgent need to tackle the growing threat from climate change.
Researchers from Canada published their findings in the journal Science, analyzing fire severity from 1981 to 2020. They found that between 2000 and 2020, there were about two more days each year that were likely to see high-severity fires compared to the previous two decades.
Now, two extra days might not seem like a lot, but remember last summer’s wildfires in Jasper, Alberta? They spread over 60 square kilometers in just a few hours. That’s pretty intense!
The study pointed out that dry fuel, like twigs and leaves, is a major factor in fire severity. Plus, hot, dry, and windy weather has a bigger impact in northern areas.
The most significant rise in days with severe burn conditions was noted in northern Quebec and parts of the Northwest Territories, northwest Alberta, and northeast British Columbia.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on January 2, 2025.