Canada at risk of another devastating wildfire season, federal government warns [Video]

The federal government says Canada is at risk of another devastating wildfire season, after an unusually warm winter, widespread drought conditions and a forecast of above-normal temperatures in the months ahead.

Officials said during a technical briefing Wednesday that more dry, hot weather is expected this spring and summer, putting much of the country at greater risk of wildfires.

Much of the country, including southern Quebec, eastern Ontario and western Canada, faces early and higher than usual fire risk in April. Risks extend into May and through the summer, though officials stressed much depends on the level of precipitation during this period.

“It is impossible to predict the summer that lies ahead of us, but what is clear is that wildfires will represent a significant challenge for Canada into the future as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify. And the costs to Canadians are growing every single year,” …