Wildfires Raged Across Canada, Sending Smoke into U.S. Cities.

A Summer of Smoke

In May 2023, Canada experienced unprecedented wildfires, burning millions of hectares and sending smoke across North America. Cities like New York and Washington, D.C. saw skies turn orange, with air quality plummeting.

Causes and Scale

Dry conditions, heat waves, and climate change fueled the fires. By mid‑summer, Canada recorded its worst wildfire season in history, with thousands evacuated and ecosystems devastated.

Health and Economic Impacts

The smoke caused respiratory illnesses, disrupted flights, and strained healthcare systems. Economically, the fires damaged timber, tourism, and infrastructure.

Lessons Learned

The fires underscored the urgency of climate adaptation: better forest management, Indigenous fire stewardship, and investment in firefighting capacity. They also highlighted the transboundary nature of climate impacts—Canada’s fires became America’s air crisis.

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Sources:

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-wildfires-2023-record-1.6899300

• https://www.npr.org/2023/06/07/canada-wildfires-smoke-us

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/07/canada-wildfires-smoke-us

Written by Pavan Ajithprasad