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Ontario seeing more wildfires this year, double the 10-year average: officials

Environment Canada says wildfire smoke is affecting air quality and visibility in a stretch of Ontario today
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Ontario officials say the number of northern wildfires this year is double the 10-year average and the amount of land burned is more than three times the average.

This year there have been 902 wildfires so far and the 10-year average is 520.

More than 520,000 hectares have been burned this year and the average is more than 153,000.

The government says the high numbers are a result of extreme drought conditions across most of northern Ontario.

Officials speaking on background say it's difficult to attribute any specific fire season to climate change since each year varies widely depending on weather, but that climate change is expected to increase the number and risks of the fires.

More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from affected First Nation communities, but based on the weather outlook the government says 5,000 more may need to leave their homes.

Environment Canada says wildfire smoke is affecting air quality and visibility in a stretch of Ontario today.

The weather office has issued an air quality statement for a region spanning from the Toronto area to Algonguin, and to the Kingston area.

It says smoke is currently "expected or occurring," and high levels of air pollution are possible as a result.

The agency says smoke plumes could move over southern Ontario from forest fires in the province's north west.

It says air quality could deteriorate if the smoke goes down to ground level.

Environment Canada says people could experience symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2021.

The Canadian Press.


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