Canada: Climate change gives hope in the fight against fires

Firefighters battling blazes across Canada had a glimmer of hope on Saturday with expectations of better weather in the coming days.

Quebec province officials said the next 48 hours will be crucial, with rain forecast for Monday and hot, humid weather until then.

But Public Safety Minister Francois Bonnardel said authorities are concerned about Normétal, 450 miles (720 kilometers) northwest of Montreal, where fires are still burning.

Another front in the fight against the flames is in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, a municipality where the largest hearth is located. The situation is stable in Chibougaumau, Mistissini, Chapais and Oujé-Bougoumou, authorities said.

Bonnardel said there were more than 130 outbreaks in the province and crews had prioritized 37, with 861 firefighters on the ground and 20 hydrants.

Provincial authorities say 13,810 Quebecers have been evacuated due to the situation in the province.

Hundreds of firefighters from France, the United States, Spain and Portugal have arrived or will arrive in the coming days.

The day before, Canadian and American officials said the fog had lifted and the situation in Quebec had improved.

Quebec’s fire prevention agency said the current season was the worst on record. The province has reported 444 wildfires so far this year, compared to an average of 207 on the same date in previous years.

Experts attribute the large number of fires to an unusually hot and humid period in the spring.

Authorities say no deaths or injuries have been reported.

Spike Caldwell

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