Wildfires are ravaging parts of Canada, with 2024 on track to become the second-worst fire season in two decades. Satellite data indicates that carbon emissions from wildfires have already exceeded the 20-year average. Reports indicate that the number of wildfires in Northern Canada has increased by 50% in the last three weeks.
The severe heatwave has sparked widespread wildfires across the Balkans and southern Europe over the past 10 days, causing 1 death, and prompting an international response to combat the blazes.
The Park Fire in California grew to the state’s 5th largest wildfire on July 30, 2024, and wreaked havoc across four counties, destroying 277 structures and displacing over 4 000 residents. With only 18% containment, the blaze continues to threaten thousands of homes, prompting a state of emergency declaration.
A destructive wildfire continues to engulf parts of Jasper National Park and the adjacent town of Jasper in Alberta, Canada, leading to extensive evacuations and significant structural damage. As of this morning, the fire, which started due to lightning, has destroyed an estimated 30 – 50 % of buildings in the area.
In just several hours, the Park Fire in California exploded from a 162 ha (400 acres) fire to more than 58 750 ha (145 000 acres) massive inferno, consuming everything in its path. One person has been arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze.
A blaze that ignited on July 20, 2024, at Ensign Peak near Salt Lake City, Utah, prompted a mandatory evacuation order for residents north of Dorchester Drive and a voluntary evacuation for neighborhoods west of East Capitol Boulevard. By the evening of July 21, firefighters had achieved 10% containment and lifted the evacuation order. Despite ongoing containment efforts, the fire’s proximity to homes, infrastructure, and gas lines remains a concern.
Wildfires in northern Alberta prompted evacuations of three communities as the province contends with five significant blazes posing a severe threat to safety and infrastructure. Over 5 000 residents were affected, covering 62 000 ha (150 000 acres). Meanwhile, British Columbia is battling over 300 wildfires, exacerbated by a three-week heatwave. High temperatures and lightning have caused widespread evacuation orders, with firefighters struggling to contain the rapidly spreading flames across both provinces.
On July 3, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the destructive Thompson Fire near Oroville in Butte County. The fire began on July 2 and has rapidly spread to approximately 1 619 ha (4 000 acres), prompting evacuation orders and mobilization of firefighting resources.
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Ruidoso village, New Mexico spread over 8 429 ha (20 828 acres) of land since it started on June 17, 2024, destroying around 1 400 structures and forcing over 8 000 residents to evacuate without even being able to gather their belongings.
Firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in Gorman, Los Angeles County, California, which has scorched 4 251 ha (10 505 acres) since June 15, 2024. The fire forced the evacuation of 1 200 people, damaged two structures, and remained 0% contained as of 13:00 UTC on June 16, 2024.
