Latest news with #forestprotection
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfires in Western Canada have Maritimers mindful of warm, dry conditions
Some Cape Bretoners are wary of possible wildfires as the Maritimes faces a dry week. With intense wildfires still burning in Western Canada, a Cape Bretoner who experienced a similar disaster said on Tuesday that he knows first-hand what it feels like to be dealing with that kind of danger. 'For me, it was a life-changing experience,' said Rick Chezenko of Sydney, who lived through the Fort McMurray, Alta. wildfires in 2016. 'It's quite a terrifying endeavour.' With a stretch of warm, dry weather this week here in the Maritimes, Chezenko said what's happening in western Canada now is a reminder of how quickly these fires can spread. 'It has happened here before, and it could happen here again with the weather changing constantly,' Chezenko said. Just last week, a wildfire in Framboise, N.S. in Richmond County burned up 15 hectares and destroyed a vacant trailer. It was contained within 24 hours. Richmond County wildfire A wildfire in Richmond County, N.S. broke out Thursday, May 29, 2025. Deputy fire chief, Craig MacNeil, was part of a crew that responded from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. He says this time of year it's important for both fire officials - and the public - to be mindful of the conditions. 'It's been worse in recent years, but I think it's due to the hurricane [Fiona in 2022] and the amount of fuel that is laying around the floor of the forest right now,' MacNeil said. Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection for Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said while most of the province is in a low-to-moderate forest fire risk right now - things can change quickly. 'We do expect that the risk will increase through the week,' Tingley said. 'Even though we might have had significant rainfall, those hot, dry days can result in what we call the 'fine fuels' - the twigs, any dry grass that is out there, all the lighter things - they dry out very quickly.' CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell said a haze of wildfire smoke from the Prairies moved in aloft of the Maritimes over the weekend. He added that while the smoke is thin and high enough not to impact air quality here, more could arrive from the west Wednesday and Thursday. Chezenko, meanwhile, still has vivid memories of having to escape the Fort McMurray fires and said people should take precautions and follow the rules. 'I've seen how fast these fires can move, and it's crazy,' Chezenko said. The European Union's climate monitoring service said on Tuesday that smoke from the wildfires out west has reached some parts of northwestern Europe. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Quebec lifts ban on open fires in forests
The Ministry of Public Safety lifted the ban on open fires in or near forests. The measure had been in effect since Wednesday in regions north of Quebec City. Open fires were prohibited in certain areas of Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mauricie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie. The ban was lifted at 8 p.m. on Friday. The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) reported on Saturday that there were no active forest fires in Quebec's intensive protection zone. Since the start of the protection season, 104 fires have affected 105.8 hectares in the intensive zone, according to SOPFEU. 'The average for the last 10 years on the same date is 195 fires affecting 253.8 hectares of forest,' SOPFEU said in a news release. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French May 31, 2025.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Study outlines forest fire prevention plan
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has completed a study to enhance forest protection and reduce wildfire risks in support of environmental sustainability goals. Titled 'Forest Fire Prevention and Post-Fire Recovery in the Southern and Southwestern Regions of Saudi Arabia,' the study was conducted in collaboration with King Khalid University and Monash University in Australia. It includes an assessment of forest conditions and risk factors, the development of a digital database, and a review of preventive measures and community practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The study proposes an integrated response plan involving relevant agencies, with defined roles and the use of modern tools such as early warning systems and drones. It also offers field designs and sustainable alternatives for strategic firebreaks, a post-fire recovery guide, a performance evaluation tool, and a framework for joint operations. To support this, the study outlines a mechanism for engaging local volunteer teams in forest areas through training, capacity-building, and coordination with authorities. The study demonstrates institutional, technical, and community collaboration in forest protection. It reflects Saudi Arabia's efforts to preserve natural resources and address climate-related challenges while balancing development with ecosystem conservation. The national center continues to promote sustainable vegetation cover and has launched an initiative to plant 60 million trees — equivalent to restoring 300,000 hectares — by 2030.
