“Battle Against Forest Fires: Months of Efforts for Complete Extinguishment”

Forest Fires: Months of Efforts Needed for Extinguishment

Challenges Ahead as Weather Conditions Remain Unfavorable

The ongoing forest fires in Quebec are expected to take weeks, if not months, to extinguish, with increased episodes likely to occur due to climate change. Karine Pelletier, an agent at the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU), explains that it could take months before all the hotspots are extinguished, particularly in the case of large-scale fires. However, isolated smaller fires may die out more quickly.

A Record Number of Forest Fires

Quebec is currently experiencing a devastating record number of forest fires, with 156 active fires and almost 160,000 hectares of forest destroyed. The regions of Abitibi and Côte-Nord have been particularly affected. Premier François Legault predicts that the battle against these fires could last throughout the summer. Earlier in the season, the SOPFEU’s meteorological team predicted a relatively calm summer, but unforeseen circumstances have resulted in these surprises.

Unfavorable Weather Conditions

Predicting the evolution of such wildfires is challenging since they depend on several meteorological factors. Factors such as lightning and dry weather can favour the spread of fires, while rain and humidity can help contain them. Unfortunately, the weather conditions in the coming days are not encouraging. In western Quebec, a high-pressure weather system is settling, and no precipitation is expected in Abitibi until next Saturday, according to Jean-Philippe Bégin, a meteorologist at Environment Canada. In the east, rain from the Atlantic is expected to arrive on Tuesday morning, but it will mainly fall in Gaspésie. Between 10 and 20 millimeters of rain are forecasted for the Côte-Nord region. Nevertheless, this amount of rainfall is not sufficient to fully address the ongoing fire situation.

The Example of Fort McMurray

In 2016, it took three months to bring the Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta under control. Even after that, smoldering embers continued underground during the fall and winter. It was not until the end of the summer in 2017 that the fire was finally extinguished. To be considered completely extinguished, a forest fire must have no remaining hotspots, explains Yan Boucher, a professor of forest ecology at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. The SOPFEU has observed that the last fire of each summer tends to occur later. Previously, fires were mostly extinguished by August, but now they can continue until November. Boucher remarks that there were actually more forest fires at the end of the 19th century than in contemporary times.

Human Activity and Climate Change

It is difficult to determine the exact proportion of human activity and natural causes in the occurrence of wildfires. However, it is clear that climate change contributes to the favorable conditions for their ignition by increasing drought and thunderstorm-prone weather that leads to lightning strikes. Boucher predicts that forest fires will become even more frequent in the future.

Efforts to combat these wildfires will require sustained resources and cooperation between government agencies, firefighters, and communities. The impact of these fires on communities and ecosystems is immense, both in terms of immediate destruction and long-term environmental consequences. It is crucial for policymakers and citizens to proactively address the underlying factors contributing to these devastating fire events.

As the battle against these fires continues, it is essential for individuals to stay informed and follow safety guidelines provided by authorities. Additionally, supporting organizations involved in firefighting and forest preservation can make a difference in mitigating the effects of these fires.