Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said 2023 is Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, and while rainfall will bring relief for Quebec in the next few weeks, associated lightning storms could raise the risk of new fires.
“Thunderstorms can increase the risk of fire activity due to lightning strikes, and warmer temperatures are also beginning to build at this point right across the country throughout the summer,” Mr. Blair said during a press conference on July 6.
Mr. Blair said there are currently 648 wildfires burning in Canada, with 339 characterized as “out of control.” He cited 3,415 total wildfires recorded in 2023, with some 8.8 million hectares of land burned….