Photo from: Saltwire (2023)
Starting on May 27, Nova Scotia experienced unprecedented wildfires starting in Tantallon, NS that spread over 230 square kilometers. Thousands of individuals residing in the affected areas were forced to evacuate from their homes. No human lives were reported lost, but the impacts were devastating.
Experts say we are far from the end of a “season” of wildfires due to advancing climate change worldwide. In a recent interview, Dr. Alana Westwood said, “This new extreme weather is going be our new normal,” and we have to prepare.
In general, Westwood calls on provincial and municipal governments to revamp planning to expect more climate emergencies and engage in preparation and prevention rather than reaction.
As for individual preparedness, Saltwire published a list of recommendations from Dr. Westwood on 3 things you can do right now to protect your home from wildfires in the short and long term.
Dangerous wildfires have also broken out this past month in Alberta and in Ontario, worsening air quality for both provinces and their American neighbour states.
In an interview with Global News, Dr. Westwood emphasized that “we need to learn how to live with fire. Other places in the world have already been doing this for generations. It’s time for us to understand how serious this is.”
For more on the wildfires, check out TVO Today’s panel discussion with experts from across Canada including Dr. Westwood asking how Canada can solve the wildfire pandemic.
Westwood Lab 