Publication: BBC News

UCLA Expert: Daniel Swain: Assistant Researcher and Climate Specialist, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Synopsis: While forest fires are a natural part of the ecosystem of Canada's boreal forests, the size, ferocity and number of fires this year is decidedly abnormal. Most of the country is expected to be under high to extreme risk for much of the wildfire season, which stretches from May to September.

UCLA News: Parts of Canada have been in drought since 2020. “The vegetation in the forests is exceptionally dry,” Swain said, which has meant that a higher fraction of lightning strikes has resulted in forest fires. Scientists predict wildfires will become more frequent and intense in future because of the combined effects of land use and climate change.

Read more at BBC News.