Six million hectares of forest have been burned since January in Canada, an area 18 times the average for the past 10 years, according to the government, which warned Monday of deteriorating air quality in the country.
“Canadians are faced with unprecedented repercussions from forest fires and the most worrying thing is that the peak of the season won’t be reached for a few weeks,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told a news conference.
A total of 423 fires are active in the country, half of which are out of control in both the east and west. More than 100,000 people have been displaced this year in Canada because of the wildfires.
On the other hand, Canada’s top public health official, Theresa Tam, warned, “It doesn’t matter where you live: you can be bothered by smoke.”
In particular, she stressed, the biggest threat comes from the numerous pollutants and fine particles that are in the smoke.
In areas heavily affected by the smoke from the fires, the authorities have opened centres where the air is filtered and have already recommended that people avoid going out and, if they do, wear a mask.
In addition, a heat wave will affect part of eastern Canada, especially Quebec, from Tuesday, with temperatures well above the usual.
Canada, which because of its geographical situation is warming up faster than the rest of the planet, has suffered extreme weather events in recent years, the intensity and frequency of which are increasing due to climate change.
