/R E P E A T -- Media advisory - Government of Canada officials to hold a media availability regarding Canada's summer seasonal weather outlook/ Français
GATINEAU, QC, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Media representatives are advised that officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada will hold a media availability to discuss Canada's summer seasonal weather outlook.
The media availability will be held via Zoom. Following the briefing, media will have the opportunity to ask questions to Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada experts. This availability is for attribution and may be recorded.
To join the media availability, please follow the Zoom link.
Notes to media:
Please note this event will be the primary opportunity for media representatives to connect with experts on this topic.
When joining the media availability on Zoom, media representatives interested in asking a question are asked to change their screen names to include their full name and media outlet. Unidentified participants will not be called upon.
Media representatives can adjust the video layout of their screen for broadcast purposes. To do so, please follow these instructions.
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Globe and Mail
9 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Wildfire threatens Squamish, B.C., as Environment Canada warns of more fires this summer
Federal officials are warning that prolonged heat waves and lower-than-normal precipitation are expected to create conditions ripe for wildfires this summer, with hundreds already burning from Northwestern Ontario to British Columbia. A new wildfire this week has threatened Squamish, B.C. – often called Canada's outdoor recreation capital – adding to more than 225 wildfires across the country, at least 102 of which are deemed out of control. On Tuesday, researchers from Environment and Climate Change Canada, presenting a seasonal outlook together with Health Canada, said wildfires are likely to worsen over the next three months because of dryness and warmer-than-normal temperatures. Forecasts show above-average risk for fires, especially later in the summer and particularly for western provinces. 'Going into the summer, Canada was already experiencing a severe, early wildfire season,' research scientist Bill Merryfield told reporters, noting that the area that has burned so far in 2025 is triple the 10-year average for this point in the year. He said the country is warming at nearly twice the global rate, increasing on average by 1.8 degrees since 1948, and even more in its northernmost region. Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Smith said much of Alberta and British Columbia is predicted to see below-normal levels of precipitation, as are parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Fumes from the fires have the potential to be carried far and wide by winds toward cities well outside of wildfire zones, Ms. Smith said. 'Smoke can travel thousands of kilometres, turning skies hazy, making the sun more orange or, more seriously, leading to poor air quality right where you live.' Over the past two weeks, more than 40,000 people have been displaced in hundreds of Canadian communities – with Manitoba and Saskatchewan hardest hit, each under a provincewide state of emergency, and dozens of other fires in Alberta. This week, the situation has worsened in Ontario and British Columbia. Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality across the country. Here's what you need to know In B.C., the District of Squamish declared a localized state of emergency Tuesday, as officials contended with a fire discovered near Dryden Creek Monday, east of the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Evacuation alerts were issued for some properties, while firefighters attacked the blaze by air and with ground crews. The fire reached at least five hectares by late Tuesday afternoon. Squamish resident Ben Hughes was driving Monday when he first saw billowing smoke and flickers of flames in the hills ahead. By the time he emerged from his appointment in the area an hour later, firefighters were there. 'We have had some forest fires nearby before, but this was the first time that you could really see it,' Mr. Hughes said Tuesday. 'If the wind picks up, it could just blow it up over that ridge and it could be in the neighbourhood, consuming houses.' B.C. is calling back a majority of its firefighters who were deployed to other areas, as it anticipates increased fire activity. At least 86 wildfires were active in the province. In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has called upon the Canadian Armed Forces to airlift nearly 3,000 people from Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote community just under 450 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 1,400 people had been evacuated from the area, while more than 20 wildfires burned in Northern Ontario. In Manitoba, nearly 21,000 have been forced to flee their homes, as the province continues to grapple with 25 large wildfires. Wildfire smoke map: Which parts of Canada are under air quality warnings? One fire near Nopiming Provincial Park measures 218,700 hectares, or roughly five times the size of Winnipeg, officials noted Tuesday, while another fire near Flin Flon, Man., is 307,780 hectares, or about seven times Winnipeg's size. Lisa Naylor, Manitoba's minister in charge of emergency management, is imploring all travellers within and from outside the province to reconsider any non-essential travel, as the government requires more hotel rooms for wildfire evacuees. Environment Canada scientist Megan Kirchmeier-Young said wildfire seasons are becoming longer, beginning earlier and ending later than in previous years. 'Warming temperatures from human-caused climate change exacerbate the wildfire risk,' she said. Dr. Kirchmeier-Young asserted that while many fires may be started by humans, 'the largest fires and the most area burned come from lightning-ignited fires.' But Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, disagreed with Environment Canada. Of the 257 fires in the province this year, fewer than 30 of them were caused by lightning, he said at a fire briefing. Saskatchewan ombudswoman Sharon Pratchler criticized the province's response for evacuees. She said Premier Scott Moe's government is failing to provide immediate food and shelter, telling reporters at a separate news conference that evacuees have been living in cars, tents and parking lots. Saskatchewan is fighting 22 fires, with at least 12,000 people displaced. Marlo Pritchard, Saskatchewan's fire commissioner and public-safety agency president, acknowledged at the fire briefing that there is 'a backlog' for supports, but said the province is doing its best. 'We have brought in extra resources to deal with that.' About 7,000 people in and around La Ronge, Sask., will be permitted to return home Thursday after an evacuation order is lifted, the province said late Tuesday. Meanwhile, in Alberta, there were at least 60 smaller wildfires, and some evacuations were lifted in communities where conditions had improved. Still, Alberta officials expect larger fires soon, with 96 firefighters deployed there from Australia Tuesday – and two wildfires near the northern Peerless Trout and Chipewyan Lakes First Nations merging and likely to grow over the next few days. With reports from Andrea Woo in Vancouver and Willow Fiddler in Sioux Lookout, Ont.
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Warmer-than-normal summer could exacerbate wildfire risk: Environment Canada
Canada is expected to see a warmer-than-normal summer with uncertain precipitation levels in most provinces, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada's summer forecast. Jennifer Smith, a warning preparedness meteorologist, said Tuesday that Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and northern Manitoba are especially likely — 100 per cent in some areas — to see a hotter summer, though the odds are high for the rest of the country, too. 'There are a couple of cooler spots, most prominently along the Beaufort Sea in northwestern Canada, but over all the forecast leans toward a warmer summer across the country,' Smith said. Statistically, she said the above-average warmth may be skewed by extreme short-term heat waves. But in other cases, 'it could be recurring short warm spells or just a subtle, consistent warmth that pushes seasonal averages up enough to nudge the stats.' Story continues below advertisement An early-season hot spell has already resulted in several new temperature records being set in parts of Alberta and British Columbia over the past few days. In wildfire-ravaged Lytton, B.C., the mercury soared to 39.3 C on Sunday, making it the hottest spot in the country and breaking a record set two years ago. Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, with a temperature of 31.7 C and Pitt Meadows, where it hit 32.3 C on Sunday, both broke records set in 1903. On Monday in the Alberta mountain town of Banff, the temperature of 27 C broke a record of 26.1 C set in 1918, while Pincher Creek, Alta. hit 32 C, smashing the old mark of 29.4 C set in 1918. While warmer-than-normal temperatures are predicted to continue for much of the summer, Smith said Environment Canada's modelling couldn't come up with a reliable rain forecast. 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 However, he said much of Alberta, British Columbia and parts of Saskatchewan could see below-normal levels of precipitation. 'Summer precipitation is tricky to forecast because it's driven by scattered thunderstorms and local downpours, which are difficult to predict months in advance,' she said. 'Just one big rainfall event can shift a seasonal total to above normal, even if most days are dry.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Just one big rainfall event can shift a seasonal total to above normal, even if most days are dry." Story continues below advertisement Bill Merryfield, a research scientist with Environment Canada, told reporters the lack of spring rain, plus potentially drier conditions moving forward, means that all of Western Canada is expected to be ripe for severe wildfires starting next month. 4:06 B.C.'s 2025 wildfire season forecast Conditions are only expected to worsen by August, Merryfield said, with most provinces west of Ontario expected to reach 'well above average' levels for fire severity situations. He said the forecast doesn't point to the number of wildfires that are expected — rather, the forecast is meant to illustrate how likely a wildfire is to become severe after it ignites. 'Going into the summer, Canada was already experiencing a severe early wildfire season,' Merryfield said, adding as of the end of last month, Canada saw triple the 10-year average in terms of area burned for this time of year. Story continues below advertisement Those early season wildfires have prompted the evacuation of thousands in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where crews are battling dozens of fires in both provinces. Evacuations, although on a smaller scale, have also been ordered in British Columbia, Alberta and northern Ontario. 2:47 Manitoba wildfires: Province asks residents to refrain from non-essential travel As of Monday, there were over 80 active wildfires in B.C. alone, with more than half listed as out of control. Merryfield said human-induced climate change is a key influence on the warmer-than-normal temperature forecast, which then influences the wildfire severity expectation. 'Canada's average summer temperatures have warmed by about 1.8 degrees since 1948, which is about double the warming of the global average temperature during that period,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'This long-term warming trend is a major contributor to the high forecast probabilities of above normal temperatures across Canada.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This long-term warming trend is a major contributor to the high forecast probabilities of above normal temperatures across Canada." Health Canada says some of the best ways to stay safe from the heat are to reduce sun exposure as much as possible, stay hydrated and take cool showers or baths. 2:07 Wildfire smoke chokes communities across Canada, U.S. — With files from Ken MacGillivray, Global News
Toronto Sun
17 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Warmer than normal summer predicted across Canada, uncertain precipitation levels
Published Jun 10, 2025 • 1 minute read People take in the hot weather at Woodbine Beach in Toronto on Friday June 2, 2023. Photo by Jack Boland / TORONTO SUN Canada is expected to see a warmer than usual summer with uncertain precipitation levels in most provinces, Environment and Climate Change Canada says. 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 Warning preparedness meteorologist Jennifer Smith says the warmth may be the result of short-term heat waves or the result of a more persistent heat that sticks around for months. The federal agency says Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and northern Manitoba are especially likely to see a hot summer, though the odds are still high for the rest of the country. Smith says it's uncertain how much rain those areas will receive over the summer, but much of Alberta, British Columbia, and parts of Saskatchewan could see below-normal levels of precipitation. Environment Canada research scientist Bill Merryfield says the lack of rain means starting next month all of western Canada will be ripe for severe wildfires. He says conditions are only expected to worsen by August, with western Canada expected to reach 'well above average' levels for fire risk. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Blue Jays NHL Crime World
