Category: wildfires

As Wildfires Rage, Trudeau Says Feds Looking at Creating National Disaster Response Agency

As wildfire smoke continues to blanket much of eastern Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is looking at creating a new national disaster response agency to deal with extreme weather events. “We need to continue to make sure we are doing everything possible to both keep Canadians safe when these extreme weather events…


Federal Agency Issues Ground Stop for Major US Airport Due to Smoke

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop of New York City’s LaGuardia Airport due to Canadian wildfire smoke. “The FAA has slowed traffic to and from the New York City area airports due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke,” the FAA said in a statement to news outlets. “The agency will adjust the…


From Coast to Coast, 2023 a Bad Year for Wildfires

This year is shaping up to be one of the worst on record for forest fires in Canada. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, many provinces are dealing with higher-than-normal numbers of fires. Fire officials say roughly 3.3 million hectares of forest have burned so far in 2023. That’s more than 10 times the 10-year average….


Evacuees Can Return in Sept-îLes, but More Than 160 Wildfires Still Burning in Quebec

One Quebec city that had been threatened by approaching wildfires has lifted an evacuation order, but other parts of the province continue to deal with out-of-control blazes that are taxing firefighting resources. About 6,000 residents of Sept-Îles, Que., and the nearby Innu community of Mani-Utenam had been under an evacuation order since Friday after one…


Fire Burned Through Memories, Pieces of History, Says Owner of Nova Scotia Daycare

The owner of a Nova Scotia daycare destroyed as recent wildfires ripped through the province says the flames consumed both her livelihood and a physical piece of twentieth-century history. Among the many memories and treasured family heirlooms lost in the fire that raced through suburban Halifax was a piece of the Berlin Wall belonging to…


Wildfires in Western Quebec Prompt Thousands More Evacuees to Relocate

MONTREAL—Wildfires in northwestern Quebec prompted thousands to evacuate the area over the weekend, as the number of blazes pushed past 140 and the military geared up to fight the encroaching flames — even as that threat eased slightly Sunday on the North Shore. Some 5,500 residents of the Abitibi−Témiscamingue region, which borders Ontario, have been…


Officials Declare Halifax-Area Wildfire Largely Contained as Rain Brings Relief

HALIFAX—A Halifax−area wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes over the past week is 85 per cent contained and no longer spreading, officials said Saturday morning. David Steeves, a technician of forest resources with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, told reporters the fire was sitting at 9.5 square kilometres and…


Fifth Day of Fighting Major Wildfires in Nova Scotia Could Prove Pivotal

The fight against wildfires that have forced at least 21,000 people from their homes in Nova Scotia is expected to reach a pivotal point today. Fire officials are worried about a resurgence in two major fires because of a phenomenon known as “crossover.” Wildfires can become extreme events when the temperature rises above 30 C,…


Unprecedented String of Nova Scotia Wildfires Still Burning After Four Days

HALIFAX—As an unprecedented string of wildfires in Nova Scotia continued to burn out of control for a fourth day, fire officials were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather. But that probably won’t happen until Friday night, according to the latest forecast. Still, there were indications today that provincial officials would soon allow…


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Visits Alberta for Wildfire Update, Expresses Support for Firefighters

EDMONTON—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair visited Edmonton Monday for an update on Canadian Armed Forces soldiers providing firefighting assistance to Alberta. Trudeau and Blair posted photos on social media of their May 15 visit, which was shortly before Trudeau departed on a trip to Japan for the Group of…