COLUMBIA, S.C. — Canada has been dealing with unprecedented heatwaves and drought conditions. Warm and dry conditions serve as the perfect fuel for wildfires to ignite and spread.
Every region of Canada is experiencing drought conditions. While Alberta province is experiencing extreme drought, it is particularly hard-hit by the flames. Of the 423 current fires in Canada, 228 are considered “out of control.” According to the Toronto Star, already this year, there have been 2,214 wildfires that have already burned more than 3.3 million hectares of Canadian wildland—which is more than five million football fields' worth and larger than the size of the state of Maryland.
With a change in the Midlands' wind directions switching from the northeast to the south, this weekend’s air quality report looks safe.
It is important to note that the peak of Canada's fire season, September, has yet to arrive. Hopefully, Canada and the US will not face several months of smoky conditions ahead.