N.W.T., Nunavut and Man. forecast to face “highest fire danger” this season

Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski says that fire danger is anticipated to be highest in the N.W.T., Nunavut and Man. this season. The minister added that recent rains in the west are forecasted to bring relief.

“Modelling indicates that in July, fire danger is expected to remain the highest across the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern Manitoba and areas surrounding the Hudson Bay, with elevated potential for fires in northern Ontario and Quebec,” read a message issued by the federal government following the announcement led by Minister Olszewski.

They said the latest data from Environment Canada showed that anticipated rainfall could offset fire danger in regions of the country.

“Given recent widespread and sustained precipitation, most of western Canada is forecast to experience low to moderate fire danger, with localized pockets of higher danger in interior British Columbia.”

According to the latest report, there are currently 796 active wildfires across the country that are out of control. So far this season, 3,137 fires have broken out and 1.4 million hectares have been burned. While fewer fires were active ( 2,913) last year at this time, about three times the land area had been burned (4,614,713 hectares) compared to this year.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather forecasts show above-average temperatures across much of the country from July through August, with dry conditions also expected in a number of regions.