State of Emergency Declared in Canadian Province as Wildfires Rage

With 600+ wild fires burning uncontrollably in Canada, which has 1.2M square miles of forest much of which is not accessible by roads, this years' fires surpassing historical records which will also affect people in the US as well depending on weather patterns. Due to the size and accessibility of Canadian forests it's hard to do much about it.

Most impacted are the young, elderly and patients with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions who need to remain indoors depending on the air quality index provided with weather reports. Also impacted are hospital emergency rooms which will see more patients. 

“There are currently 639 active fires in Canada, of which more than half are out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Weather patterns across North America have carried the smoke into some of the largest US cities, including New York, triggering weeks of air quality alerts, jeopardizing residents’ health and leading to flight cancellations and delays at some of the continent’s largest airports. “

“Marie-Ève Héroux, an air quality assessment manager with Health Canada, said in the briefing that seniors, pregnant people, young children and those who spend a lot of time outdoors or have existing health conditions are particularly at risk from exposure to wildfire smoke. “But in general, everyone’s health is potentially at risk, especially when concentrations of pollutants are high and the exposure lasts for a considerable amount of time.”

“The Canada fire season, which normally runs from April to September, is barely half over but the country has already surpassed the modern historical record for area burned, with an estimated 8.8 million hectares scorched so far, an area larger than South Carolina.”

“Through July, expected warm and dry conditions will increase wildfire risk from British Columbia and the Yukon across the country right to Western Labrador,” Michael Norton, director general of the Northern Forestry Centre at the Canadian Forest Service, said in a briefing. The area at risk is expected to shrink only slightly in August. “It is anticipated that many parts of Canada will continue to see above normal fire activity”

“The world is experiencing record temperatures, with heat waves scorching China, India, the US, Mexico and the UK in recent weeks. The onset of El Niño conditions is likely to exacerbate the trend, although it’s not expected to affect Canada until late 2023 or early 2024.”

“abnormally hot weather on the west coast right now, extending into the Northwest Territories, may increase the risk of fires in Canada’s Arctic. Some fires are already burning inside the Arctic Circle. “

“As the temperature difference between the Arctic and lower latitudes shrinks, the jet stream slows and meanders more. That creates high pressure zones — blocking highs — that sit in one place, forcing weather systems to go around them, said Thomas Smith, associate professor in environmental geography at the London School of Economics.”

“One such system appears to be building over Canada’s northern territories, where it could linger for about three weeks, he said in an interview Thursday.”

“That is very similar to the conditions that we saw in 2020 in Eastern Siberia when there was a very large number of Arctic fires,” Smith said. The Siberian heat wave was determined by scientists to be much more likely because of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. “

“It’s possible the high-pressure zone will coalesce elsewhere, over the ocean or Hudson Bay, “in which case all those weather systems that bring the rain will make sure there aren’t too many fires” in the Arctic, Smith noted. “But at the moment it looks pretty solidly placed over where we’re starting to see these (Arctic) fires emerging.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-06/canada-s-record-wildfire-season-set-to-worsen-as-heat-builds

https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/maps/forecasts

I think we're gonna need a bigger fleet of fire fighting drones or reconditioned military aircraft, because this is a war that's only getting bigger.

This doesn't just affect Canada. My travel plans during a trip to DE last week were changed because of the air quality due to these fires. I have several concerns:

1. Fire seasons are longer

2. The fires are larger causing more destruction & death

3. My insurance company dropped my cabin insurance this year because of Fire threats

4. Trees are the lungs of the planet

5. Change is not happening fast enough to deter these fires

Please take action. PLEASE!

What concerns me is how much of these could have been prevented.  It feels like the world has lost its fight against all things good.  We continue to have these man-made crisis that affect our nation.  We should never have low quality air, water or food. 
The USA continues to give billions to other countries, yet when something of this magnitude, we aren't doing a damn thing?! These fires are affecting us directly, yet Biden's not doing a damn thing.  

Climate change is real. Let's act now, while we can still make a meaningful impact. 

Yes, I am concerned and worried.  Where I live is one of the oldest part of Austin; i.e. lots of tall and old trees.  It is reason why the area is called Shady Hollow.  Trees and grasses are dry and ready to flare up.

Climate change is the reason why.

Who caused the climate change?  Lack of action...

Who can take steps to remedy that?  The leaders.  

Are we seeing any actions from the "leaders" i.e. our legislators and congressmen and President?  

Biden is trying to do that, but I fear not enough.  Legislators and Congressfoks, way not enough.

I guess they will act when the fire are licking at their doorsteps.  Until then, they will only act on minimum actions they hope will satisfy us (the people).

Not unlike Cruz disappearing to Mexico cuz hard winter was upon his doorstep.  I sincerely hope that won't happen, though with the climate change.  Please do what you all need to combat climate change NOW...  

Please act on climate change...

Climate change!! 

The fires we have been seeing in so many countries is a message to the humans on this planet! In the past 5 years we have seen the number of acres of trees and homes burn increase. Each successive year has had an increase in fires! The less trees we have also means the less oxygen there is to breath! This hurts all life on this planet! All growing things in the oceans and on the land take in CO2 and produce oxygen. Our Earth that was meant to sustain us is now damaged by us. Oceans have never been so warm, and sadly this affects the jet streams that circle the planet. From a Yale Report. “As the planet warms, we predict that the land-ocean contrast of atmospheric heating enhances the meandering in the jet stream and that implies more of these extreme weather events, such as what we have experienced this summer." Basically what humans are choosing to do is, "Cutting off their nose to spit their face!" This is a saying that has been around since before I was a child, but is so perfect in describing our actions to correct the imbalance we've created. In turn, these new weather patterns will also effect the Earth's ability to produce food to feed us. Sadly our governments State and Federal have not done enough to help correct this problem, and some want to pretend this situation doesn't exist! Changes must be made world wide! We must reuduce the amount of CO2 we release into our air! I now drive a hybrid car, and love that it uses so little gas! I am deeply concerned about what is happening to the world that supports our lives!

Climate change is real. Legislators need to get their priorities inline with it.

We need all hands on deck for dealing with the problems that we have caused because of climate change. By that I mean, we need to do all that we can to reduce the impact of our actions on the environment. It is imperative for governments and businesses to lead the way so that our efforts can be maximized in the shortest time. 

this is what climate colapse looks like...and we are just getting started.

It's all about climate change! Mother Nature is not a happy camper and it's getting to a point of no return!? This is completely a political issue; as divided as our politics and divided only because of politics! Politics needs to remove itself for the good of this Country and the World! We should be leading the charge!

Well, I have certainly learned that it doesn't matter how I feel about it.  Doesn't matter about oil in the Great Lakes.  Doesn't matter about fires across the border from me, which is prohibiting me from walking, which is making me become out of shape, but it is more important to breathe clean air right now! I've written letters for years and years and years about these issues and nothing ever changes here.  Hey, you know when I thought, at one point, that it was all going to end?  It was when that little Greta girl spoke at the U.N.  I know, I know, they don't give a hoot about the kids either.

Yes--More than "concerned"...  

I worry that we are doing very little to save our children and grandchildren from the nightmare world of a Climate Catastrophe.  

These extreme wildfires in Canada and on Maui and elsewhere all around the world are warnings.  

Our political and Inductrial leaders must be forced to ACT!

Forest management engineers need to develope irrigated fire breaks across the land scape. Wet grass does not burn.    

Nothing will get better until we elect people to Congress who actually were educated and believe in science AND we stop corporations from making our laws.

Concerned by every one except the climate deniers.

Any Congress member climate denier needs to be voted out.

Our area near Mount Madonna still has a lot of underbrush. Highway 17 in Santa Cruz County has never been cleared of brush and dead trees as the Santa Clara County part has. San Lorenzo Valley still has many areas of brush and fallen trees even though there was a very bad fire west of Ben Lomond and up into Big Basin. 

It's a sad case of affairs when game playing and and infighting take center stage of what is best for all.  Canada is our neighbor to the north and need assistance in their fight against these wild fires, not to mention the displacement of the people affected.  As our allies, we should be helping instead of playing political games with the lives of all of us.  Climate change is real no matter how much politicians try to hide the problem all for the love of money, power and control.  It is up to all of us to do what is needed to be done for the betterment of ALL.

Fires are just too scary.  Their path can change in the blink of an eye.  Their strength can vary just as quickly.  It's so sad to see the devistation ... the lives lost, both human and animal, the homes, the businesses.

Why keep asking this question. The ONLY reason I'm concerned is because the states/feds don't do the work to clear the underlying brush and dead debris which is the real culprit.

These fires are the fault of big polluters and they are the ones who should pay for the damage.

Only a complete imbecile would not be concerned about this year's fire season!