The area devastated this year by forest fires in the country is more than 10 times higher than the average of hectares burned per decade, and Quebec is the most affected province.
The Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that a total of 8.8 million hectares were burned in 2023 in Canada, as of June 27, while the ten-year average is 805,196 hectares.
This area affected by the flames beats the previous record of 1989. That year, 7.6 million hectares were burned.
Quebec is the province most affected by forest fires at present, said Yan Boulanger, researcher in forest ecology at Natural Resources Canada. “About 1.5 million hectares have burned in the intensive protection zone, which roughly corresponds to the commercial forest in Quebec, he illustrated as part of a status report. There are also another 2 million hectares currently burning in the northern zone, particularly in James Bay. »
Michael Norton, director general at Natural Resources Canada, said there are several months left in this unprecedented wildfire season.
“The latest projections indicate that fire activity could remain above normal through July and August across much of the country, from British Columbia to Quebec,” he warned.
The actual number of hectares burned will only be known after the fact and the figures revealed are estimates, he said. “There’s no question we’ve surpassed the previous record,” Norton said.
As for the number of fires declared this year (3412), it also exceeds the average over 10 years (2751).
“The fact that so many fires have spread across Canada and have continued to burn for so long, in addition to the many fires that have broken out subsequently, is unprecedented in the annals and partly explains why this year has been difficult,” summarized Mr. Norton.
The situation in Quebec
Thursday morning there were 142 active forest fires in Quebec, including 74 in the northern zone.
Of this total, five were considered uncontrolled, according to the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU). A greater number could become so given the increase in the intensity indices of certain fires which are considered to be contained.
Special efforts to extinguish fires were concentrated in particular in northwestern Quebec, in the regions of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Senneterre, Normétal, Chibougamau, Mistissini, Louvicourt and Lac Simon, as well as in that of Obedjiwan.
Thursday morning, Environment Canada issued an extreme heat warning covering the entire southwest of the province. Including the Humidex factor, the temperature could feel close to 40°C during the day. This humidity is expected to continue until Friday, when temperatures will feel like 35°C to 38°C.
Further north, a severe thunderstorm watch has been declared. They could start new fires or rekindle some that were under control.
The northwest of the province, where several forest fires are still raging, is under a smog alert.
A ban on access to the forest on lands in the domain of the State and the closure of forest roads was still in effect Thursday in certain sectors located in the regions of Nord-du-Québec, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Haute-Mauricie, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Côte-Nord.
In northwestern Quebec, a ban on open fires in or near the forest remained in effect and restrictions on work in the forest were still applied.
SOPFEU reported that, on Wednesday, 1,343 forest firefighters and auxiliary combatants, as well as more than 200 soldiers, were at work on the various fire sites, in addition to 122 regular SOPFEU employees located in various operating bases and at the head office.
Firefighters from New Brunswick, the Yukon, the United States, France and South Korea also took part in the operations.
Agreement with Portugal
In addition, Canada and Portugal on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their relationship of mutual assistance.
This Memorandum of Understanding, between Natural Resources Canada and the Integrated Rural Fire Management Agency of Portugal, aims to better define procedures for the exchange of human and material resources, as well as knowledge, to combat fires.
“This agreement with [le Portugal] will help ensure effective collaboration on both sides of the Atlantic and advance our joint efforts to protect livelihoods and communities from large wildfires,” the federal Minister of Natural Resources said in a statement. Jonathan Wilkinson.
Portugal has already sent 140 firefighters to the country to support Canada in its fight against forest fires this year.
This partnership is Canada’s seventh with another country in its fight against forest fires. Protocols have recently been signed with the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Australia and South Africa.
On June 27, the federal government launched its National Adaptation Strategy, whose objectives include reducing the risk of climate-related natural disasters, protecting Canadian biodiversity, building and maintaining infrastructure that is resilient to climate change. climate change and support the economy.