By Canadian Press

Wildfire roundup: What you need to know about blazes burning across Canada

Jun 8, 2023 | 10:45 AM

The battle against hundreds of wildfires continues in Canada, as many jurisdictions are under either heat or air quality warnings from the federal government. Here’s a look at developments Thursday:

Wildfire smoke blankets Toronto

Canada’s most populous city is experiencing hazy skies and poor air quality as smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec moves in.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Toronto, warning of high levels of pollution and poor air quality.

Some school boards and the City of Toronto are moving outdoor activities inside, while other recreation programs have been cancelled. 

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The city also says it has outreach teams connecting with people experiencing homelessness, conducting wellness checks, providing water and encouraging them to come indoors.

Wildfire within 500 metres of Quebec municipality

Quebec’s wildfire fight is focused in the province’s northern region where flames are burning close to a municipality of roughly 800 people.

Authorities say a wildfire is within 500 metres of Normétal, 720 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency says it is confident the community can be protected and that winds in the region are less strong than feared.

The agency is also focusing on Lebel-sur-Quévillon, where 2,100 people were evacuated from the northern municipality and where two separate large fires could merge.

Quebec is facing its worst wildfire season on record and there are 150 active fires still burning.

Air quality dips in southern B.C. as fires flare

Air quality advisories have been issued for part of Vancouver Island and a large section of the Lower Mainland as smoke from several wildfires wafts over the region.

Two out-of-control wildfires east of Vancouver, plus a blaze on Vancouver Island, are contributing to the smudgy skies.

Environment Canada says a shift in weather could cut the smoke and showers are likely across the lower quarter of the province Friday.

No showers are due in parts of parched northeastern B.C. until at least next week and the forecast shows temperatures should remain well above average through the weekend.

A growing blaze south of Dawson Creek near the Alberta boundary forced the Peace River Regional District to expand an evacuation order late Wednesday.

The wildfire centre reports more than 80 active fires as campfire bans came into effect across most of British Columbia.

More evacuation orders to be lifted for Halifax-area residents 

More residents from Halifax subdivisions that sustained significant damage from a wildfire will be able to return home as additional evacuation orders are expected to be lifted.

More than 16,000 people were forced to flee after fire broke out on May 28 and destroyed 150 homes, but several evacuation orders have since been lifted for the Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains areas.

Though the fire was largely contained over the weekend, about 4,000 people were still waiting to return to their homes northwest of the city’s downtown.

In southwestern Nova Scotia, the 234-square-kilometre Barrington Lake fire is being held in place but officials say it remains out of control.

That blaze destroyed 60 homes and cottages, and another 150 structures.

Experts worry Canada losing water bomber expertise

Aviation experts say Canada is losing expertise in the manufacturing of water bombers — just as demand for them is increasing.

John Gradek, co-ordinator of McGill University’s aviation management program, says he thinks provinces need more water bombers but the made-in-Canada plane hasn’t been produced since 2015.

He says there are 55 Canadair tanker planes in Canada and, considering the number of fires, it’s insufficient.

He says that while a British Columbia company is expected to start building the water bombers again in 2027, the manufacturer has already received enough orders from other countries to keep its factory busy for more than two years.

Water bombers from Montana were deployed in Quebec this week to support the province’s firefighters and its fleet.

Quebec Premier François Legault alluded to the water bomber maintenance challenges during a news conference, saying new planes should be purchased. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2023.

The Canadian Press