Impact of Climate Change on Wildfires in Canada

As of early June 2023, there were 2,300 wildfires active across Canada burning 3.7 million hectares of forest, doubling that of an average year, and occurring much earlier in the season than usual. These fires forced thousands of evacuations, and the resulting smoke diminished the air quality and compromised the health of millions of North Americans.

HOW IS THIS HAPPENING AND WHY?

Climate change has had a significant impact on the increased frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada. Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, drier conditions and other climate-related factors have created a more favourable environment for wildfires to ignite and spread.

One of the key factors driving the link between climate change and wildfires is the warming trend observed in Canada and globally. Higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation and drying of vegetation, making forests more susceptible to fire and creating a tinderbox effect. As a result, the prolonged periods of hot and dry weather create ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly, and become more challenging to contain, especially in remote areas, as seen in recent years.

Climate change has also influenced precipitation patterns, leading to a shift in rainfall distribution, with more frequent and intense droughts in certain regions, and more intense rainstorms in others. Reduced rainfall and snowfall decrease soil moisture levels, contributing to the drying out of vegetation. Drier conditions increase the availability of fuel for wildfires, making them more likely to occur and harder to control.

Furthermore, climate change has altered the timing and duration of the fire season in Canada, increasing the overall risk and duration of fire events. Climate change has also contributed to the spread of pests and diseases that can weaken forests. For instance, the mountain pine beetle has thrived due to milder winters, killing vast areas of pine trees. These dead trees provide ample fuel for fires, creating conditions for more extensive and intense wildfires.

Large-scale fires have devastated vast forested areas, leading to habitat destruction, economic losses, and threats to human health and safety. The impact of wildfires extends beyond the immediate area affected. Smoke from these fires can travel long distances, leading to degraded air quality and posing health risks for populations far from the fire zone, as it just did from Quebec to New York City and down to Washington State. Moreover, wildfires release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to further climate change, creating a dangerous feedback loop, a vicious circle effect.

In summary, the impact of climate change on increased wildfires in Canada is evident through rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, prolonged dry conditions and the release of greenhouse gases. Urgent action to mitigate climate change and implement effective wildfire management strategies is crucial to minimize the devastating consequences on ecosystems, communities, and the overall environment.

Meanwhile please respect the total fire ban which is (or was) in effect in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains and other neighbouring towns, and act responsibly.

Engage with your Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team (WBCAT) wasagabeachclimateaction.com info@wasagabeachclimateaction.com

Submitted by Gerard Dusastre

Curb Distracted Driving This Summer

Technology is your friend: Many smartphones have existing software that can block notifications and send automatic messages to those trying to reach you while driving. You can also manually turn off notifications before driving so you won’t be tempted by your phone.

Put together a playlist: Curate a nice driving playlist for your journey so you won’t have to shuffle the songs in your library while you’re behind the wheel. When you have passengers with you, give them the aux cord or Bluetooth access to take song requests and guide you through the drive.

Eat beforehand: Avoid the distraction of eating and drinking while driving, by fueling up on snacks before you leave your home. You want to ensure you always have both your hands available to stay alert in case you need to make a sudden stop. If you do find yourself getting hungry, pull over to refuel or make a stop at a nearby restaurant before getting back on the road.

Get ready at home: Styling your hair or applying makeup while driving is a lot more distracting than you may think. If you find yourself running late, fix your appearance when you arrive at your destination. Considering keeping a toiletries bag in the trunk with a hairbrush, hand mirror and other essentials, to makes things easy.