National Preparedness Level 5

Canada is presently at National Preparedness Level 5, meaning all available resources are engaged in combating these wildfires. Additional support has arrived from countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Portugal, and Spain.

The wildfires have impacted every province and territory except Prince Edward Island and Nunavut, with Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec facing the most severe conditions. Smoke from these fires has triggered air quality alerts across Canada and the US, extending as far as parts of Europe, particularly Norway.

Insights from Experts

Edward Struzik, a research fellow at the Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, has been documenting environmental issues for over 30 years. In a recent CBS News interview, he noted the changing patterns of the seasons: “Spring is arriving weeks earlier, and fall is extending later,” he stated. This shift allows for a longer duration of fires and grassland burning.

The jet stream, which significantly influences Canada’s weather by moving from west to east, plays a crucial role in the ignition and spread of wildfires. With global warming intensifying near the poles, the jet stream has been losing its strength.

The second video discusses the link between the unprecedented wildfire season and climate change, featuring expert insights on the implications of this crisis.

Weaker Jet Stream and Increased Fires

Mr. Struzik explained, “With the Arctic warming faster than the global average, the jet stream is becoming weaker and more erratic.” This change contributes to the stagnation of hot, dry weather systems, which in turn leads to the formation of heat domes conducive to wildfires.

I have personally witnessed the extreme dryness of forest conditions this spring. At my family’s cottage near Tobermory, conditions have never been this parched, with the Bruce Peninsula National Park rating fire risk as “extreme.”

The primary causes of forest fires include lightning strikes and human activities, with lightning responsible for over 85% of wildfire damage in Canada. This relationship between lightning and wildfires creates a vicious cycle, as smoke emitted from fires raises atmospheric temperatures, leading to increased lightning strikes and subsequently more wildfires.

Climate Feedback Loops

As Mr. Struzik elaborated, “Most fires in the boreal forest of northern Canada are ignited by lightning.” A rise of just one degree Celsius can lead to approximately a 12% increase in lightning occurrences.

He pointed out that as the climate heats up, more conditions become conducive for wildfires. The division between lightning-caused and human-induced fires is approximately equal, with railroads often acting as artificial triggers.

Climate change also exacerbates conditions during Canada’s spring snowmelt, as global warming accelerates snowpack melting, creating hotter and drier conditions throughout the wildfire season.

Short-Term Relief

Although a rain event on June 9 improved air quality in northeastern cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and New York, long-term relief seems unlikely. Meteorologists predict continued warm, dry conditions for the remainder of the wildfire season, which will likely lead to further ignition and spread of fires.

Mr. Struzik noted that “land-grabbing and negligence have historically contributed to numerous fires.” The catastrophic wildfire season Canada is currently experiencing appears to stem from a mindset that views nature merely as a resource to exploit.

The Need for a New Perspective

Humanity must adopt a new, science-based narrative that emphasizes the interconnectedness of our actions, climate change, and ecosystem disruptions. As highlighted by Mr. Struzik, “We have yet to learn to coexist with the fires we have ignited through fossil fuel burning, wetland drainage, and the suppression of natural fires that would promote more resilient forests.”

There is always more to learn if we are willing to seek knowledge.

Learn more:

• How did the Canadian wildfires start?
• Despite its long history of wildfires, Canada still doesn’t know how to live with them.
• Dark Days at Noon: The Future of Fire
• UN Report Calls for Urgent Climate Action
• Invasive Plants Cause More Problems with Climate Change
• Warmest Eight Years on Record

I am a freelance writer and commercial blogger providing content services to selective business-to-business marketing clients. With extensive experience in content creation, technical writing, and training, I have held roles as a consultant and in management with many of Canada’s leading organizations. My specialties include Content Marketing, Social Media, Technical Writing, and Training and Development.