In Canada, the pines are turning red and, this time, it’s impossible to blame the Indian summer. The country is hard hit by historic fires. Some 400 fires were counted on the territory and, following the winds, their smoke reached the United States, which they covered with an orange mist. After the provinces of Alberta, in the west and Nova Scotia, in the east, it is the turn of Quebec to suffer fires “never seen”.
But why is Canada particularly affected by these episodes? What ecological and health consequences can we expect? Are fires set to increase in Canada’s boreal forests? 20 minutes takes stock for you, thanks to the insight of Françoise Vimeux, climatologist at the Research Institute for Development.
Is Canada often affected by large forest fires?
Quebec is currently plagued by 150 active forest fires, of which around 100 are deemed to be out of control. With nearly 350 million hectares of forest, Canada accounts for 9% of the world’s forest area. “However, for there to be mega fires, you need forest massifs over large areas, it’s logical”, underlines Françoise Vimeux, climatologist at the Institute of Research for Development. Each year, the flames bite a little more this luxuriant richness. In 2023, however, forest fires are exceptionally early and intense. “The drought conditions that we used to see in summer are starting earlier and earlier,” said the climate expert, who lists the factors encouraging the start and spread of the fire.
First, the dryness of the vegetation which “in some cases, ignites at the slightest spark”, then “dry soils which lead to an easier spread of fires” and, finally, “high temperatures”. The latter “come to accentuate the processes of evaporation of water in the soils and the vegetation, which exacerbates their dryness”. “In addition, certain tree species encourage the spread of fires. Conifers, which are very numerous in Canada, facilitate the spread of flames, in particular via pine cones”, deciphers Françoise Vimeux, adding “all the ingredients are there for fires which will be maintained, spread and affect a large area. “.
What are the ecological consequences?
More than 11,000 Quebecers have had to leave their homes, and the French-speaking province is preparing to evacuate 4,000 more people. But beyond these human evacuations, massive fires have consequences on the environment. By burning, forests pollute the Earth’s atmosphere. In the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia alone, 20.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were released from the fires between May 1 and May 18, according to data from the European Copernicus program.
“The net effect of carbon emissions is less dramatic than what we imagine”, however nuance Françoise Vimeux. Indeed, it is while growing that trees consume the most carbon. “A forest in equilibrium emits as much carbon as it absorbs. But after a fire, the trees regenerate and, in order to grow, they absorb more carbon than they release,” explains the climatologist, adding that it is for this reason that these fires must be differentiated from those which are caused by deforestation. “It is dramatic, however, when deforestation is done by fire because the deforested land is used for other purposes,” she notes. This pollution is also dangerous for health. In the United States, the fumes suffocate 100 million Americans who breathe poor quality air because of them.
Are forest fire seasons set to increase?
These fires and air pollution are “another disturbing sign of how the climate crisis is affecting our lives”, the White House was alarmed on Wednesday. In Canada, the climate issue is particularly burning. The country is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Due to its northern location, the country faces increasingly intense and frequent extreme weather events.
“The continental regions are warming up faster than the global average and, the further you go towards the Arctic, the more the warming increases compared to the tropical regions”, explains Françoise Vimeux. By raising the thermometer, climate change is accentuating the dryness of flora and soils. And “in certain regions, it comes to rarefy the rains, exacerbating the risk of fires”, underlines the climatologist.
Known for its postcard settings, where the Indian summer scorched the pine forests, giving the landscapes bronze reflections, Canada could soon welcome tourists to charred forests.