The flames of Canadian wildfires remain high throughout the year like an out-of-control tornado. However, last year’s wildfire season was unforeseen and caused widespread devastation. Unfortunately, about 150 fires from the 2023 fire season kept reeking underground during the winter, and they reignited as soon as February 2024. Later, more fires broke out in the western part of the country.
However, these fires are troublesome not only for Canada but also disturb the peace of adjacent countries that share boundaries with Canada. The US is at the top of this list, with some states sharing borders with Canada's most drastically affected regions.
This comprehensive article will discuss the primary reasons for Canadian wildfires and how they are affecting the US landscape. It will also recommend practical solutions the US populace can opt for to counter the hazardous effects of Canadian wildfire smoke.
Why is Canada Having So Many Fires?
Nearly half of Canadian wildfires result from lightning strikes, while the other half are attributed to human activities. These human activities count everything from carelessly discarded cigarettes to neglected campfires to environmental modifications. However, recent data suggests that human-caused fires are declining in Canada.
On the other hand, lightning-caused fires remain a significant concern as they burn far larger areas, approximately 90% of the total area in a given season. These fires mainly occur in remote regions of Canada and become more intense during periods of drought. As a matter of fact, extreme dryness and torrid heat are two main culprits behind extensive wildfires.
According to federal data, 59% of Canadian fires during last year’s record-breaking season were the upshot of lightning strikes. Also, many of Canada’s fires are so bad and powerful that they generate thunderstorm clouds called pyrocumulus clouds.
Though these clouds don’t bring any rainfall, they create weather conducive to the already-critical fire situation. A Preprint study documenting the 2023 fire season reports that Canada witnessed 140 documented cases of such powerful lightning storms last year.
Where in Canada Has the Most Fires?
The Canadian province of British Columbia is said to encounter the highest number of wildfires, with 2,293 fires in 2023.
Alberta is the second most affected province, largely due to its expansive Boreal forest coverage and prairie ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable during hot and dry weather. In 2023, Alberta saw a total of 1,088 fires burning 2.3 million hectares of land.
Quebec and the Northwest Territories follow. The last year set an all-time milestone in the history of Quebec’s wildfires, with 713 fire-outs burning 4.5 million hectares of land in the Intensive Protection and Northern zones.
Predictions for the current year suggest a continuation of this trend. Experts share that there will be an above-normal risk of fire activity in the forthcoming months. In response, Canada has launched a national preparedness level 5, mobilizing all firefighting resources available.
Will Canada’s Wildfires Affect the US?
The US is already bearing the consequences of wildfires in neighboring countries. Many states in the US, which share borders with Canada, have issued an alert over declining air quality.
According to the Canadian Interagency Fire Forest Centre, there are currently 146 active fires in Canada, out of which 39 have gone uncontrolled. One of these is burning the province of British Columbia so badly that an evacuation order has been issued.
In the US, the Wisconsin state government has expressed grave concern over the fire situation as its 60 counties are likely to be affected by wind-carried smoke. This heavy smoke can contribute to prolonged respiratory issues and other health challenges in the population. The air quality in some parts of the state may also become unhealthy.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota have also administered similar alerts as the Particulate Matter (PM) can grow 25 levels in these states. Particulate Matter refers to the microscopic solids or liquid droplets suspended in the air, which cause serious health problems when inhaled.
If the Canadian wildfires are not put off, they may also trigger power shortfalls across the US. The insulation effect of air present between phase-to-ground and phase-to-phase power lines can significantly decrease under wildfire smoke conditions. It eventually threatens the safe operation of power lines and can cause power line trips.
Here, it is also worth mentioning that ionized air in smoke can conduct electricity. It can create arcs between lines or lines and the ground. The result is a line outage. In addition, the accumulation of smoke particles on power infrastructure can also cause equipment malfunctions, leading to grid emergencies.
How to Prepare for Canada Wildfires?
Unquestionably, Canada’s wildfire smoke is adversely affecting the lives of the US population, and the situation might worsen if these fires remain uncontrolled. As a counter-response, it’s imperative for US citizens to take the necessary actions beforehand.
Stay Updated
First and foremost, US citizens should regularly monitor local weather and air quality reports to stay informed about smoke levels. Online resources like Microsoft Weather and AirNow can be used as they provide the most accurate data.
Install Air Cleaners
Secondly, installing portable air monitoring systems and purifiers is all-important to maintain clean air during smoky weather.
Say No to Indoor Burning
Also, refrain from all forms of indoor burning, including smoking, burning candles, incense, or gas stoves. Indoor burning increases the amount of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, fine and ultrafine particles in the air. All of these are air pollutants and contribute to poor air quality.
Use High-Efficiency Filters
If you have central air conditioning, we suggest using high-efficiency air filters like HEPA, MERV 17, or higher. These filters can remove 99.97% of Particulate Matter from the air, including smoke, ozone, and VOCs.
And, of course, we also have business outside the home. Wearing a protective mask is suggested to limit smoke exposure when going outside.
Purchase Home Battery Backups
Home battery backup systems are also a fundamental step in your safety plan. They protect against smoke-caused anticipated shortfalls and other emergencies and keep your air purifiers and smoke alarms functional around the clock. Additionally, these backup systems can be replenished using solar panels, which makes these systems an eco-friendly option for maintaining indoor air quality.
However, choosing a reliable home battery backup can be overwhelming as the market is replete with untrustworthy products. Below are some of our recommendations for the best home battery backup.
BLUETTI AC300 + 2*B300 Home Battery Backup
The AC300 is a revolutionary home battery backup that can support your basic electrical needs for days during grid emergencies. As it is 100% modular, four B300 (3,072Wh pack) can be connected to this unit to achieve an extraordinary capacity of 12,288Wh.
Moreover, its inverter is highly efficient and can adjust the charging rate from 1800W to 3000W using the wall outlets. The default AC input of 1800W can also be increased to 3000W with the 30A charging cable.
Want to restore your system’s capacity quickly? Charge your AC300 unit much faster at a blazing rate of 5,400W using the wall outlet and solar panels simultaneously. It can also be connected to your home grid with the BLUETTI smart home panel.
BLUETTI AC500 + B300S Home Battery Backup
The AC500 + B300S is not your conventional home battery backup. Rated at 5,000W continuous power and 10,000W surge, it will provide you peace of mind during those unfortunate smoky days without grid power.
While it offers an initial capacity of 3,072Wh, it can be expanded to reach a splendid capacity of 18,432Wh. What we appreciate the most about this unit are its charging options, which include AC input, solar panels, an electric vehicle, a lead-acid battery, and more.
Sixteen versatile outlets are another adorable feature of this unit, meaning your electronic devices will never fall short of power. The home battery backup also includes a four-year warranty for customers’ contentment.
BLUETTI EP500Pro Home Battery Backup
The last home battery backup on our list is EP500Pro. With a groundbreaking capacity of 5,100Wh, this all-inclusive system is enough to power all your essential needs during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Its pure sine wave inverter can deliver a continuous output of 3,000W. Moreover, the EP500Pro has an ergonomic design and four wheels for easy mobility. With its 15 outlets, you can power anything from mobile phones to ecological air conditioners.
Concerned about safety and durability? The system utilizes advanced battery technology, which minimizes the chances of thermal runaways. Its software can also be upgraded using the BLUETTI smart app.
Moreover, the 1200W MPPT solar input allows you to fast-charge your unit and keep all your appliances running simultaneously.
Final Thoughts
Despite our best efforts, we cannot altogether eliminate natural disasters from our lives. However, what the states can do is to plan proactively for counter-disaster operations. The states should also develop effective policies to deal with post-disaster circumstances.
Yet, as responsible state citizens, we cannot leave everything to the state. The least we can do is to protect ourselves and our families from the harsh effects of the situation.
Buying a home battery backup can be an intelligent choice in this regard. They can help us counter the gloom-ridden effects of natural disasters like wildfires and smoke-filled tornadoes.
With these home backup systems, we can keep our air monitoring equipment and emergency alarms operational in all circumstances. We can also keep ourselves connected to the world during other natural disasters and take necessary actions when required.
