In Nova Scotia, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires ravage the region. The fires, which have been fueled by unusually dry conditions, have destroyed homes and led to the evacuation of around 16,400 people near Halifax, the largest city in Nova Scotia. Compared to last year, the province has experienced over 100 more wildfires. The situation is equally dire in British Columbia, where evacuation orders have also been issued due to ongoing fires.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed concern about the severity of the fires in Nova Scotia and offered government assistance if needed. As of Monday, six wildfires were still burning in the province, with one estimated to cover an area of 788 hectares northwest of Halifax. Halifax fire deputy chief Dave Meldrum stated that the fast-moving fire remains uncontrolled, and it could take the entire week to bring it under control due to a lack of rain in the forecast.
According to Kara McCurdy, a fire prevention officer in Nova Scotia, the province has experienced a significant increase in wildfires this season, with 176 fires compared to 70 last year. Factors such as early snow melt, warm winter temperatures, and the lack of rainfall have contributed to the dryness and fuel availability. The neighboring province of New Brunswick is also grappling with a wildfire that has led to the evacuation of around 400 homes.
Western provinces in Canada have also been dealing with dry weather conditions in May, resulting in out-of-control fires. A lightning-sparked fire in northeastern British Columbia has continued to burn and has significantly grown in size. So far this year, over two million hectares of land across the country have been consumed by wildfires, making it one of the earliest fire seasons on record. Experts emphasize that while human activity can trigger wildfires, the effects of climate change, including prolonged and extreme heat, exacerbate the conditions by drying out the ground and vegetation.
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