The maple country is experiencing its worst spring yet. Just a couple of weeks back, we covered the increasing air pollution in Nebraska due to Canada’s wildfires. But it seems like the aftermath shall continue longer than expected.
In the recent update, people took to social media to bring awareness to the escalating smoky atmosphere within the country and spreading across the US, majorly in Nebraska, North Dakota, and several other states.
California met a similar fate in 2020, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people. According to the study released by UCLA, extreme temperatures and dry air catalyzed the wildfires in California. The fires destroyed over 10000 structures and cost $12.08 Billion in damages, with $10 Billion in just property damages.
And two years later, wildfires in Canada are getting progressively worse.
Why Is the Smoke Coming from Canada?
The usually chilly climate in Canada welcomed spring for warmer weather. But no one expected the dry air would elicit from the rising temperature and consequently ignite the first sparks in the forests.
The smoke originated from the wildfires in Quebec, gradually spreading to British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories. Around 160 forest fires remain active in Quebec, while the officials declared them “out-of-control.” The residents in the perimeter have been warned of possible evacuation.
As of now, New York and North Jersey have been affected by the hazy envelope. Chicago White Sox players experienced smoke hovering over the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx during their batting practice at around 7 p.m.
How Long Will Smoke from Canada Last?
As per expert opinions, controlling Quebec wildfires is the top priority to lessen the smoke spreading across the country and in the US.
However, there has not been much progress yet, so we can expect the smoke to last more days. Bryan Ramsey, a National Weather Service meteorologist in New York, stated, “It’s going to be here for a while.”
People have also complained about the constant burnt smell, and the smoky haze is also causing watery eyes and coughing.
Is the Air Quality in Canada Good? When Will The Air Quality Improve?
While there was a slight glimmer of improvement by mid-day on Tuesday, the smoke again encapsulated North Jersey.
John Cristantello, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Brookhaven, New York, said–
“We’re seeing another large plume over Lake Ontario and Central New York that should make its way down to the area by late afternoon.”
How Big Is the Fire in Canada?
According to Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, the current wildfires have been the worst this year so far, with over 2214 wildfires across Canada. Overall, more than 3.3 million hectares or 8 million acres of land is set ablaze.
This is indeed an emergency for the country, considering 413 active wildfires, out of which 249 are categorized out of control. An estimated 26000 people have been evacuated so far.
Twitteratti has since urged politicians to take climate change seriously and not deem the reason arson blatantly.
What do you think about this situation? Is the blame entirely on lawmakers for the lack of climate change awareness? How long do you think these wildfires will last?
Let us know your opinions in the comment section below.
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