Summer Wildfires Remain a risk in Canada

Canada could see above-average wildfire activity in June and July, as weather forecasters expect a warmer and drier summer, Reuters said.

• After it’s worst-ever year of wildfires in 2023, Canada has so far had a milder season in 2024, with recent rain alleviating some areas.
• "The good news is that the number of fires is well below average for this time of the year ... That being said, multiple regions are at an elevated risk due to a combination of hot, dry and windy conditions," Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan told reporters.
• The regions most at risk include northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and southern Northwest Territories, government officials said.
• Recent wildfires in Alberta drew concern that they could impact output at key oil sands production centres, although operations managed to continue.
• In 2014, wildfires around Fort McMurray in Alberta managed to knock out around 1m b/d of production.