Canada Wildfire Season off to a Fast Start
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the wildfire season across Canada is off to a fast start, especially across Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
NASA MODIS satellite showing hot spots (active fires) and smoke across parts of northwest Canada as of May 30.
Current wildfire danger. Graphic courtesy Natural Resources Canada.
Percent of normal precipitation for the current growing season in the Prairies (since April 1, 2015). Image courtesy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Total fires so far for 2015: 2,549
20-year avg. # of fires through June 1: 1,903
Total hectares burned so far 2015: 263,200
20-year avg. hectares burned through June 1: 148,560
Comparing May 2015 to May 2014 in terms of the number of fires each week you can clearly see below that 2015 is already well ahead of 2014. Image courtesy of the CIFFC.
Looking back over the past 30 years in terms of total annual fires across Canada, we can clearly see a slight downward trend. Obviously we have a ways to go to finish 2015, but I suspect there will be a significant uptick compared to the past couple of years.
In terms of overall hectares burned over the past 30+ years, it can be highly variable from year to year.
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