death of a firefighter during an intervention against one of the megafires which still ravage the country

A young firefighter from western Canada died Thursday, July 13, crushed by a tree during an intervention against one of the megafires that have ravaged the country for weeks, authorities reported. This is the first death of a firefighter since the start of this historic fire season in Canada, with more than 900 active fires currently, including more than 560 considered out of control, a map shows. of Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.

Recalling that the situation remains “extremely serious”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lamented the news “heartbreaking”pointing out that it “Never forget the risks these heroes take each time they run into danger”.

“We don’t expect any respite from the weather”

In the country, the number of fires continues to increase and particularly in the West, where in a few days, several hundred departures of fires have been recorded, mainly triggered by thunderstorms. Across the country, 9.7 million hectares have already gone up in smoke, 11 times the one-year average of the past decade, as Canada has faced extreme weather events in recent years including intensity and frequency are increased by climate change.

And the current fire situation is not going to improve with a “hot and dry weather expected in the coming months”said Sarah Budd of the Provincial Fire Department. British Columbia : “We don’t expect any respite from the weather.”