OTTAWA — Wildfires have burned a record 7.7 million hectares across Canada, the highest ever in a single summer.

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“This is the worst wildfire season in Canada,” Public Safety Secretary Bill Blair said Tuesday, as 492 fires raged across the country, including 259 that are spiraling out of control.

The smoke plume from Quebec is so large that its effects can be felt as far away as Europe, where fine particles have been carried by the wind.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

How high is the air quality index in your city and what health recommendations are derived from it?

air quality index (AQIUS)

101-150

Bad

sensitive people

AQI: GOOD

Great day to be active outside.

AQI: MODERATE

Some people may be particularly sensitive to particulate matter pollution

Particularly sensitive people: Consider reducing the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs of slowing down.

All the others : Great day to be active outside.

AQI: BAD for
sensitive people

Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung diseases, the elderly, children and young people, minorities and field workers.

Sensitive groups: Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. It’s okay to be active outside, but take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness can indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

AQI: BAD
for each

Sensitive people: Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Consider moving or moving activities inward.*

All the others : Reduce the duration and intensity of activities. Take more breaks from outdoor activities.

*Note: If you don’t have air conditioning, it can be dangerous to stay indoors with the windows closed during extremely hot weather. If you’re hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your community to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

AQI: VERY BAD

Sensitive people: Avoid any physical activity outdoors. Postpone it to a time when the air quality is better or move activities indoors.*

All the others : Avoid prolonged or strenuous activities. Consider moving or moving activities inward.*

*Note: If you don’t have air conditioning, it can be dangerous to stay indoors with the windows closed during extremely hot weather. If you’re hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your community to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

AQI: CRITICAL

All the others : Avoid any physical activity outdoors.

Sensitive people: Stay indoors and maintain reduced activity levels. Follow these tips to keep particulate matter levels low indoors.*

*Note: If you don’t have air conditioning, it can be dangerous to stay indoors with the windows closed during extremely hot weather. If you’re hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your community to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

pollution record

According to the 2003 Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) database, these fires are increasing the country’s annual carbon emissions to unprecedented levels.

In total, CAMS has identified around 160 megatons of carbon emissions since the first forest fires in May. That’s more than 10% of the world’s carbon emissions from wildfires for all of last year.

“We need to do everything we can now to reduce emissions and make sure it doesn’t get any worse in the future,” said George Heyman, British Columbia’s environment minister, who accompanied Minister Blair at the unveiling of Canada’s national adaptation strategy to the Climate change on Tuesday in Vancouver.

Canada is not ready

Although Canada is a major contributor with its emissions, “Canada is not ready to deal with climate change,” said Environment Secretary Steven Guilbeault, also in Vancouver.

AFP

However, Ottawa has spent $6.5 billion on climate adaptation programs since 2016. Minister Guilbeault warned that this is still not enough and that much more needs to be invested to adapt and achieve the goals set out in the National Strategy. Adjustment was presented on Tuesday.

For example, the plan is to completely eliminate heatwave deaths in the country by 2040.

In the summer of 2020, 149 people died from heat in Quebec. Then, the following year, between June 25 and June 1^um In July alone, 619 people died from the heat in British Columbia.

Since that disaster, Vancouver has incorporated air conditioning into its building codes as an adjustment measure. The federal strategy provides for changes in the three state building codes.