MNI BRIEF: Canada Warns Of Another Difficult Wildfire Season

Canada's Emergency Preparedness Minister warned Thursday of another difficult wildfire season following last year's record damage that disrupted the country's economy and blanketed New York City with smoke.

Minster Harjit Sajjan told reporters fires have already burned more than 1 million hectares this year and is of particular concern again in the western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta that are home to some of the country's biggest oil and gas production sites. There are 87 fires burning now and six that are out of control, he said, and the government estimates climate change now costs a typical family CAD720 a year. While touting new spending to better track and combat fires the government said it's difficult to make any precise wildfire forecast for this year. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Alberta Rides High Oil, BOC Relief-Ex Official)