AFP

Fires in Canada: Montreal is choking in smoke and appears to be the most polluted in the world

Acrid smoke blanketed Montreal on Sunday due to Canada’s still-active wildfires, making the city the world’s most polluted city, according to a specialist company. Environment Canada has issued a smog warning in several regions of Quebec. There are so many fine particulate matter that as of Sunday, Montreal is the city with the worst air quality in the world, according to Iqair, a Swiss company specializing in the study of air pollutants. “C’ is really like fog except that.” There is smoke due to the forest fires. It’s really difficult to breathe, it also burns my eyes a little,” notes Fauve Lepage Vallée, 18 years old. With her friend, she observes the smoky inner city from the Parc Jean-Drapeau across the street. Concerts were to be held there on Sunday afternoons. “We were supposed to go to the Piknic Electronic Festival, but it got cancelled,” regrets Fauve. Several activities had to be postponed due to the smoke, most notably the Mont-Tremblant Ironman, one hundred kilometers north of Mont-Tremblant Montreal, and the World Triathlon Championship Series mixed relay at Montreal’s Old Port. Wearing a mask is recommended and outdoor activities are not allowed until Monday. “The Emergency Response Coordinating Committee is asking us to close swimming pools, wading pools and outdoor sports facilities at least until noon Monday,” Luc Rabouin, mayor of Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, wrote on Twitter. A total of 81 wildfires are active in Quebec, 27 of which are considered extinguished. Due to the dry weather and high temperatures, several fires broke out over the weekend. Quebec (SOPFEU), suggesting rain “in significant amounts” is expected in the northwestern province on Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday, 119 French firefighters have had to arrive in Quebec since the beginning of June to drop off their compatriots on site. “The deployment of the first contingent of French firefighters is coming to an end,” explains Stéphane Caron, prevention and communication coordinator at SOPFEU. “They leave for France on June 28 and a second contingent will take over the same day.” The mission of the first French sent to Quebec will last 21 days. “They will also be based in Roberval,” 250 kilometers north of Quebec City, according to Mr. Caron. Nationwide, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC) lists 470 active fires, including 244 out of control. Canada is experiencing an unprecedented year with more than 7.4 million hectares burned since early January. jle/mba