Fires: After the heat, the fire arrives in western Canada: there are more than 200 active hearths | Climate and environment

The heatwave that hit western Canada left fertile ground for the spread of flames. On Tuesday, the British Columbia Wildfire Service reported that there are 212 active fires, the majority in the southern part of this Canadian province. Two-thirds of them were classified as out of control. Authorities have issued evacuation orders in dozens of communities.

Over 100 firefighters from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have arrived in British Columbia to help with the tasks. On Sunday, Bill Blair, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, said the Armed Forces will provide air support in areas affected by the fires. “As climate change leads to an increase in extreme weather events around the world, our government will always be there to keep Canadians safe,” Blair wrote on Twitter.

The town of Lytton has occupied media spots around the world for crossing the heat bar in Canada for three consecutive days. On June 29, the mercury in the thermometer reached 49.6 degrees. A day later, the flames began to spread in this city. Two people died and 90% of the houses burned down. On Monday, the British Columbia Wildland Fire Service announced that the blaze was “probably caused by human activity.” Investigations are continuing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the federal government will provide whatever support is needed to rebuild Lytton.

The Canadian Department of the Environment has issued an air quality alert in this province due to forest fires. The ministry said people can experience different problems, such as “increased cough, sore throat, headache or shortness of breath.” Children, the elderly, and people with lung or heart disease are particularly at risk.

The so-called “thermal dome” has left a deadly mark, especially in British Columbia. According to the Provincial Forensic Service, between June 25 and July 2, 719 people died suddenly; on average three times more than on other dates. Emergency services in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have received unprecedented numbers of calls following high records on thermometers. The heatwave similarly affected the northwestern United States, where there are at least 100 dead. The heat wave hit northern Ontario over the weekend. Thunder Bay surpassed 34.3 degrees on Saturday, a new record in this city. However, the Canadian Department of the Environment has reported that temperatures in these coordinates will drop significantly from the afternoon of Tuesday.

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