Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadians should be prepared for more wildfires and hurricanes: Environment Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Aug, 2024 10:35 AM
  • Canadians should be prepared for more wildfires and hurricanes: Environment Canada

Human-caused climate change is making heat waves much more likely, the federal government says, bringing extreme weather from fires to storms.

That's according to Environment and Climate Change Canada's rapid extreme weather event attribution system, which compares today's climate to a pre-industrial one.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said there will be more wildfires from British Columbia to Manitoba this month, with climate change fuelling them.

"It is not unusual for Western Canada to see high levels of fire activity this time of year," he said at a press conference on Monday.

"However, forecasting anticipates that activity will be above average in parts of the West to well above-average in areas in B.C. and Alberta."

Fire activity in September is also expected to be above normal.

There are 474 fires blazing across the country, compared to the roughly 900 fires at this time last year. 

More than 150 of the fires — including in Jasper, Alta. — are considered out of control, with more than 3.4 million hectares burned so far this year. That is well above the 25-year average of area burned.

First Nations are disproportionately affected by those wildfires, said Jenica Atwin, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indigenous Services, with 80 per cent of their communities at risk.

"This is a challenging summer, and I know that First Nations are anxious," she said. "But let me say this once again: Canada stands with you. We will be at your side before, during and after wildfires, and we will cover every single dollar of eligible costs that you encounter."

Even when conditions become less dry, Canadians have another thing to worry about: an above-average hurricane season.

"We are keeping a very close eye on developing storms and the potential impacts on Canadians," said Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan.

Sajjan is also urging Canadians to prepare for more major named storms this season, with the U.S.'s National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predicting up to 24. 

The remnants of Hurricane Debby swept through eastern parts of the country on Friday, leaving widespread damage from flash flooding. 

Quebec officials said 14 municipalities were under a state of emergency Monday afternoon after the storm dumped up to 175 millimetres of rain on Montreal.

A man in his 80s died after he was swept into the Batiscan River. About 550,000 Hydro-Québec customers lost power during the storm.

"Make sure you have an emergency kit and a family emergency plan and set up your property for preparedness," Sajjan said.

"That means, for example, clearing dead trees or branches, ensuring your roofs, windows and foundations are in good repair, and considering installing storm shutters."

MORE National ARTICLES

Early morning shooting in Newton

Early morning shooting in Newton
Police in Surrey say one man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after an early morning shooting in the Newton area. R-C-M-P say officers got the call at around 5:30 a-m about a man suffering from a gunshot wound in a parking lot on 122nd Street near 72nd Avenue.

Early morning shooting in Newton

Vancouver Island to see $3B in BC Hydro upgrades, expansion over the next decade

Vancouver Island to see $3B in BC Hydro upgrades, expansion over the next decade
Energy Minister Josie Osborne says the BC Hydro projects will create thousands of jobs over the next decade and ensure the region has enough clean, affordable and reliable electricity to power homes, businesses and the economy.

Vancouver Island to see $3B in BC Hydro upgrades, expansion over the next decade

Foreign streaming services challenge requirement to pay into fund for Canadian news

Foreign streaming services challenge requirement to pay into fund for Canadian news
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said in June that foreign streamers must contribute five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues into a fund devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV and radio news, as well as Indigenous and French-language content.

Foreign streaming services challenge requirement to pay into fund for Canadian news

Canadian unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in June as jobs market stalls

Canadian unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in June as jobs market stalls
Statistics Canada said Friday the unemployment rate came in at 6.4 per cent for the month, up from 6.2 per cent in May, as the size of the labour force grew. The June result was the highest reading for the unemployment rate since January 2022 when it was 6.5 per cent.

Canadian unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in June as jobs market stalls

Canada's global reputation suffering under Trudeau, Garneau asserts in autobiography

Canada's global reputation suffering under Trudeau, Garneau asserts in autobiography
Former foreign affairs minister Marc Garneau says Canada has lost its standing in the world under the tenure of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he criticizes as an ill-prepared leader who prioritizes politics and makes big pronouncements without any follow-through.

Canada's global reputation suffering under Trudeau, Garneau asserts in autobiography

Warnings expand as heat wave settles over B.C., with weekend temperatures set to rise

Warnings expand as heat wave settles over B.C., with weekend temperatures set to rise
The agency has expanded a series of heat warnings to include the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound, where daytime highs are forecast to reach 32 C. The hottest temperatures are expected to start hitting the province Sunday.

Warnings expand as heat wave settles over B.C., with weekend temperatures set to rise