Why Alberta wildfires may last for several more months

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“Phenomena of this magnitude are serious for the climate, because their carbon footprint is monumental,” according to physicist Fabio d’Andrea.

By Guerric Poncet

Iires continue to ravage the Canadian province of Alberta, with 81 fires still active on Wednesday May 10, 24 of which are considered out of control. Two days earlier, up to 110 active fires had been counted. The air is seriously polluted not only throughout the Canadian province, but also as far north as the Arctic and south into the United States. At least 390,000 hectares have already burned and, as of Thursday, May 11, temperatures around 30 degrees and dry conditions are expected to further complicate the work of the hundreds of firefighters deployed.

“Drought in the air is not the only ingredient necessary to know this type of extreme event, we must add dryness to the ground, heat and strong winds”, explains Fabio d’Andrea, physicist and.. .