Today's letters: Detentions — this smart student gets it right
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How is it that 13-year-old Elise Ravesloot can see this outdated and ineffective punishment for what it is, a complete waste of time? Not only has she identified the problem with school detentions, but she has come up with an excellent solution to clean up our extremely nasty-looking city.
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Bravo Elise. Hopefully the powers that be will pay attention to this very wise and articulate 13-year-old.
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Marsha Maslove, Ottawa
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There is bad air quality in Ottawa right now but here's something we can do about it.
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The air quality Ontario web site (www.airqualityontario.com/history/summary.php) is telling us that the outdoor air quality is poor and to stay indoors as much as possible. The particle emissions (known as PM2.5) are near 100, which makes Ottawa air as bad as some of the most polluted cities on Earth.
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Unfortunately, most peoples' indoor air quality is not likely to be much better than the outdoor readings as that bad air will soon permeate a dwelling that isn't super well sealed and/or filtered.
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There is something that people can do, however. Buy an air purifier or build your own for about $50. Get a 20 x 20 inch box fan. Tape the same size furnace fan filter on the inlet side of the fan. Get it going inside your home. I've got my home-made version working right now and have got the indoor particle emissions down to nine when Ottawa's downtown air quality station is reading close to 100.
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Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut and a distinguished public servant, passed away on June 4, at 76. Born in Quebec City, he began his career as a naval officer and engineer before making history on Oct. 5, 1984, when he flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first Canadian in space. He would go on to complete two more missions, logging over 677 hours in orbit and emerging as a symbol of Canadian scientific achievement and international collaboration.
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Global News
11 hours ago
- Global News
U.S. weather presenter's coverage of Canadian wildfires has intensified
Three American TV weather presenters say their viewers' appetite is soaring for information on the swaths of wildfire smoke drifting in from the Canadian Prairies. 'The smoke has really dominated our weather forecasting headlines,' says Jacob Morse, a meteorologist for KFYR-TV in Bismarck, N.D. Morse said North Dakota has been hazy all week due to smoke coming from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where fires have been raging for more than two weeks, forcing more than 30,000 people from their homes. 'We've been talking about it constantly. We're educating viewers on where the fires are and then why the smoke comes here (and the) communities impacted,' he said. View image in full screen Jacob Morse, a meteorologist for KFYR-TV, a television station in Bismarck, N.D., that's affiliated with both NBC and Fox News Channel is seen in this undated handout photo. Courtesy: Jacob Morse via The Canadian Press Eric Snitil, chief meteorologist for WROC-TV in Rochester, N.Y., says a few years ago, his news network had two or three smoke graphics it projected on its green screens, mainly because of wildfires elsewhere in the United States. Story continues below advertisement 'Now we couldn't be building these fast enough because of Canada,' Snitil said. 'It's forcing us meteorologists to not just look out for weather in our own backyard here in New York. 'I find myself now looking at data for Canada and what's the fire conditions looking like many thousands of miles away.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I find myself now looking at data for Canada and what's the fire conditions looking like many thousands of miles away." 2:07 Wildfire smoke chokes communities across Canada, U.S. He said the appetite from viewers has grown because smoke affects such a large number of people at one time. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bill Kardas, a chief meteorologist of WKTV in Utica, N.Y., says weather presenters across the U.S. have been ramping up their coverage of Canadian wildfire smoke since 2023. As Canadians dealt with their worst wildfire season that year, he said his state turned apocalyptically orange from the smoke. Story continues below advertisement View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery Snitil said meteorologists in New York weren't prepared. 'Most people around here never experienced anything like the 2023 wildfire smoulder,' said Kardas, a weatherman of 20 years. 'There really wasn't a lot of knowledge as to what was generating this, why is this happening, is this normal, has this ever happened before.' Story continues below advertisement This year, Kardas said his viewers began to notice smoke in the air last week as blazes on the Canadian Prairies intensified. It has prevented many Americans from leaving their homes, he said. 'We're 2,000 miles away and we're feeling the effects of this,' he said. 'I can't imagine how horrible it must be to be dealing with it in proximity.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I can't imagine how horrible it must be to be dealing with it in proximity." 1:51 Doctors warn about short, long term impacts of poor air quality from wildfires Mike Flannigan is a professor in the University of Alberta's department of renewable resources and the director of the Western Partnership for Wildland Fire Science. He said there are two main reasons why Canadian smoke is making international headlines. First is that there is more smoke and wildfires to begin with, he said. Story continues below advertisement This year's fire season — the second worst since the 2023 wildfire season — has seen wildfires consume 3.7 million hectares, six times the area of Prince Edward Island. 'And there's probably more (smoke) than that because our fires today are burning more intensely and more deeply,' Flannigan said. Smoke from the flames this year has also crossed oceans and even been detected in Europe. He said people are paying attention to Canadian wildfires globally because they are more aware of the dangers of smoke as science has evolved. 'I'm a fire guy. We talk about good fire and bad fire. There's no such thing as good smoke. It's bad, bad, bad. And it's becoming more frequent,' Flannigan said. 'It affects IQ, it affects fetus development and of course, lungs. It's full of thousands of chemicals.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It affects IQ, it affects fetus development and of course, lungs. It's full of thousands of chemicals." 3:47 Asthma Canada on health risks from wildfire smoke He said he hopes the global spread of Canadian wildfire smoke encourages more people to think about human-caused climate change. Story continues below advertisement 'We can prevent some of these wildfires through fire bans, forest closures, education,' Flannigan said.
Winnipeg Free Press
13 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
American weather presenters say coverage of wildfires on the Prairies has intensified
EDMONTON – Three American TV weather presenters say their viewers' appetite is soaring for information on the swaths of wildfire smoke drifting in from the Canadian Prairies. 'The smoke has really dominated our weather forecasting headlines,' says Jacob Morse, a meteorologist for KFYR-TV in Bismarck, N.D. Morse said North Dakota has been hazy all week due to smoke coming from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where fires have been raging for more than two weeks, forcing more than 30,000 people from their homes. 'We've been talking about it constantly. We're educating viewers on where the fires are and then why the smoke comes here (and the) communities impacted,' he said. Eric Snitil, chief meteorologist for WROC-TV in Rochester, N.Y., says a few years ago, his news network had two or three smoke graphics it projected on its green screens, mainly because of wildfires elsewhere in the United States. 'Now we couldn't be building these fast enough because of Canada,' Snitil said. 'It's forcing us meteorologists to not just look out for weather in our own backyard here in New York. I find myself now looking at data for Canada and what's the fire conditions looking like many thousands of miles away.' He said the appetite from viewers has grown because smoke affects such a large number of people at one time. Bill Kardas, a chief meteorologist of WKTV in Utica, N.Y., says weather presenters across the U.S. have been ramping up their coverage of Canadian wildfire smoke since 2023. As Canadians dealt with their worst wildfire season that year, he said his state turned apocalyptically orange from the smoke. Snitil said meteorologists in New York weren't prepared. 'Most people around here never experienced anything like the 2023 wildfire smoulder,' said Kardas, a weatherman of 20 years. 'There really wasn't a lot of knowledge as to what was generating this, why is this happening, is this normal, has this ever happened before.' This year, Kardas said his viewers began to notice smoke in the air last week as blazes on the Canadian Prairies intensified. It has prevented many Americans from leaving their homes, he said. 'We're 2,000 miles away and we're feeling the effects of this,' he said. 'I can't imagine how horrible it must be to be dealing with it in proximity.' Mike Flannigan is a professor in the University of Alberta's department of renewable resources and the director of the Western Partnership for Wildland Fire Science. He said there are two main reasons why Canadian smoke is making international headlines. First is that there is more smoke and wildfires to begin with, he said. This year's fire season — the second worst since the 2023 wildfire season — has seen wildfires consume 3.7 million hectares, six times the area of Prince Edward Island. 'And there's probably more (smoke) than that because our fires today are burning more intensely and more deeply,' Flannigan said. Smoke from the flames this year has also crossed oceans and even been detected in Europe. He said people are paying attention to Canadian wildfires globally because they are more aware of the dangers of smoke as science has evolved. 'I'm a fire guy. We talk about good fire and bad fire. There's no such thing as good smoke. It's bad, bad, bad. And it's becoming more frequent,' Flannigan said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'It affects IQ, it affects fetus development and of course, lungs. It's full of thousands of chemicals.' He said he hopes the global spread of Canadian wildfire smoke encourages more people to think about human-caused climate change. 'We can prevent some of these wildfires through fire bans, forest closures, education,' Flannigan said. 'If (the Earth continues) to warm, we're going to have longer fire seasons, carry more lightning and drier fields which promote fires.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Around 7,000 Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees set to return to their homes
Published Jun 12, 2025 • 1 minute read This photograph shows the Valere (L) and Tourbillon Castles overlooking the city of Sion blanketed in haze from smoke transported from Canadian wildfires, in the Swiss Alps on June 11, 2025. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images LA RONGE — Around 7,000 people in and around La Ronge, Sask., can start going home today after a wildfire forced them out of their communities a little more than one week ago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A notice says La Ronge, Air Ronge and communities within the Lac La Ronge Indian Band will reopen to residents at 8 a.m. Lyle Hannan, the director of the local emergency operation centre, has said rain in the last few days helped crews contain the wildfire near the community. He has also said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency was able to bring in more staff and resources to fight the fire. Saskatchewan is reporting 23 active wildfires, with six considered not contained. Premier Scott Moe, facing criticism that his government was failing to provide timely help to evacuees, has promised a $500 payout for each evacuee aged 18 and up. Celebrity Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists
