Wildfires are big fires that start unexpectedly in combustible areas and burn for a long time
Why is Canada battling intense wildfires?
In Canada, wildfires are natural. They clear the forest floor, open the canopy to sunlight, remove tree-harming insects and diseases, and add valuable nutrients to the ground.
But this year's Canada’s fire season is unprecedented, surpassing all previous records in terms of the size and timing of the fires.
Wildfires require the right climatic conditions, burnable fuel, and a spark. Rising temperatures due to climate change suck moisture out of plants, creating dry fuel.
Fallen leaves, grass, and trees are like sparks waiting to ignite. Canada's vast forests and trees provide plenty of fuel for fires.
Now, the spark is sometimes caused by lightning. Lightning also occurs more frequently when it is hotter.
Other times the spark is caused by accident, for example, rolling stones or the friction of bamboo swaying due to high wind speed.
The third reason can be the population that sets fires on their land, but strong winds cause these fires to rage out of control.
Although the usual timeframe for the Canadian wildfire season is from May to October, the extent of destruction observed so early in the season is uncommon.
The smoke from the fires has spread across large portions of the U.S. Recently, the worst air quality gripped New York City, turning the sky orange.