Worsening wildfires, B.C.-like flooding part of 'new reality' driven by climate change: study
Eight of the worst wildfire weather years the world has ever recorded happened in the past decade, a new study from Canadian scientists revealed Thursday.
The research team believes lower humidity and higher temperatures will continue to contribute to more burning, which can also make flooding worse in and around recent fire zones.
“Extreme conditions drive the world’s fire activity,” wildfire expert Michael Flannigan was quoted in a news release from the University of Alberta.
“It's not a big surprise, but with climate change, we expect warmer conditions to continue and this trend to continue, expand and get worse.”
Flannigan conducted the study with help from Natural Resources Canada scientist Piyush Jain and the U of A's Sean Coogan.
The study examined "extreme fire weather trends from 1979 to 2020 using common fire weather indexes that provide estimates for fire intensity and rate of fire spread, as well as changes in vapour pressure, or humidity."
The team concluded that decreasing relative humidity was a driver in more than 75 per cent of increases in fire intensity and spread and increasing temperature was a driver in 40 per cent of significant trends.
The team also found that B.C. recorded three of five of their worst fire years ever in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Flannigan said this is a factor in making flooding there worse.
“When you remove the vegetation, the rain is not being intercepted by the trees, the roots aren't picking up the moisture, there is nothing to give the soil stability — you're much more likely to see land and mudslides in burnt areas," he said.
“This has been documented in California for years.”
The study was published in Nature Climate Change, a monthly academic journal that focuses on climate change.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.