Wildfires are continuing to destroy thousands of hectares of land in the western United States and Canada amidst a severe drought, with no signs of nearing an end. Entire areas in California have been placed on high alert as of Wednesday due to the spread of multiple fires. The fires near the famous Yosemite National Park, a hub for mountain climbers, remain uncontained, while firefighters are concerned about the northward spread of the Dixie fire. The year 2020 was the worst year for wildfires in modern California history, but 2021 may currently be surpassing it. However, the most significant damage is recorded in neighboring Oregon. Due to dry weather and increasing winds, the Bootleg fire has already consumed over 86,000 hectares and forced many residents to evacuate the area.
Fires are also spreading across the border into Canada. In the west, where unprecedented heat has been recorded, more than 35 new fires were detected in the past two days, according to local authorities. One of these fires has spread over more than 40,000 hectares, with around 900 homes evacuated. Experts believe this heatwave is directly linked to global warming. The Canadian Environmental Agency, responsible for meteorological forecasting, does not expect any improvement in the weather in the coming days.
The American West is experiencing a devastating cycle; dry soil and parched vegetation contribute to conditions favorable for rising temperatures. The combination of rising temperatures, recurring heatwaves, and declining rainfall in some areas creates a typical mix for igniting fires. Meteorologist Jill Maibia stated, "We expect drought and no rainfall," explaining that "temperatures are still above normal, so no changes are expected in the coming days."
In the east, about a thousand people have been evacuated recently, particularly Indigenous residents in Ontario, the province with the largest population in Canada. Shane Macaul, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the region, confirmed to AFP that "there are ninety active wildfires in the province, eighty of which are in the northwestern part," a sparsely populated area. Teams from Quebec and Wisconsin in the United States have been sent to combat the fires.
