wildfires | Canada's National Observer: Climate News

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First Nations programs train local community members to tackle fires like the 2021 White Rock Lake wildfire in B.C. Photo by Jesse Winter / Canada's National Observer

New federal money for wildland firefighter training bolsters First Nations’ community efforts

The funding, earmarked in Budget 2022, promises $28 million over five years to train 1,000 new community-based firefighters. The pilot involves nine Indigenous organizations and communities.

By Matteo Cimellaro | News, Urban Indigenous Communities in Ottawa | June 2nd 2023

Local firemen helping salvage the personal belongings of those impacted by the Valley Fire. Photo by State Farm/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Insurance giant won’t sell new home policies in California over wildfire risks

State Farm also cites the inflation of construction costs in a statement that comes after increasing wildfires in the state.

By Gloria Oladipo | News, US News | June 2nd 2023

An aerial image showing the magnitude of the fire burning in Shelburne County, N.S., from Wednesday, May 31, 2023 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Communications Nova Scotia

Massive wildfire in Nova Scotia has coastal town of Shelburne on edge

In all, there were four wildfires in the province burning out of control on Thursday, including the massive Barrington Lake fire in Shelburne County, which grew to more than 200 square kilometres despite a constant bombardment of water and fire retardant from a fleet of water bombers and air tankers.

By Michael MacDonald & Keith Doucette | News | June 1st 2023

Delta Hotels Bessborough behind a shroud of thick smoke from wildfires burning across the Prairies, in Saskatoon, Sask., on Saturday, May 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Northern Alberta residents stay back to save their community from wildfire

Mike Mercredi, a volunteer firefighter from Fort Chipewyan, Alta., says he is among a group of community members on standby who have been setting up sprinklers on neighbourhood streets as crews work to contain the flames north of the hamlet.

By Canadian Press | News | June 1st 2023

Mark Zawidzki, a volunteer firefighter, poses at the temporary apartment where he and his family are staying in Halifax on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo by: The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese

Hero firefighters battling Halifax wildfire among those who lost homes

"The fire was raging at such an incredible pace that I just wanted to save somebody else's house while I could," volunteer firefighter Mark Zawidzki said.

By Michael Tutton | News | June 1st 2023

Thick smoke from wildfires blankets the downtown in Calgary on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. File photo by The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Weather Network forecasts El Nino to bring warm temp west, cooler temp east

A summer forecast warns western wildfires will likely continue to be “a major concern," with higher-than-normal temperatures expected when the second fire season ramps up in July and peaks in August.

By Cassandra Szklarski | News | May 31st 2023

A large wildfire burns this handout image provided by the Government of Alberta and posted on their social media page. Handout photo by Government of Alberta- Alberta Wilfire

Fire forces evacuation of Northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan

A hamlet in northern Alberta has been placed under an evacuation order as a wildfire burns nearby.

By The Canadian Press | News | May 31st 2023

A sign directing evacuees is seen as volunteers and workers set up an evacuation centre where food and shelter is being provided for those forced from their homes due to the wildfire burning in suburban Halifax on May 30, 2023. Photo by The Canadian Press

Unprecedented wildfire outbreaks in Nova Scotia still burning after four days

As an unprecedented string of wildfires in Nova Scotia continued to burn out of control for a fourth day, fire officials were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather.

By The Canadian Press | News | May 31st 2023

A representative from the Canadian Red Cross works at an evacuation centre where food and shelter is being provided for those forced from their homes due to the wildfire in suburban Halifax on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

‘Just chaos’: Halifax man learns home gone as officials warn of wildfire danger

Fire officials said that with the return of dry, windy conditions, there could be a "reburn" in the evacuated subdivisions, which are spread out over 100 square kilometres.

By Michael MacDonald & Michael Tutton | News | May 30th 2023

A helicopter carrying water flies over heavy smoke from an out-of-control fire in a suburban community outside of Halifax on May 28, 2023. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese

If you are pregnant, be extra careful when wildfires pollute the air

Smoke from wildfires in parts of Alberta, British Columbia and now Nova Scotia has doctors warning pregnant people to take extra precautions against breathing in toxic particles.

By Camille Bains | News | May 30th 2023

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