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Fischetti writes: "The intense wildfire that has forced thousands of people to evacuate Fort McMurray and surrounding areas in Alberta arrived early in the wildfire season, fueled by hot, windy weather. Scientists say big fires will ignite sooner and sooner in the year in the western U.S. and Canada as the snow pack continues to dwindle during warmer winters or dries out sooner during warmer springs, leaving terrain parched for more weeks of the year."

Flames engulf homes in Fort McMurray. (photo: CTV News)
Flames engulf homes in Fort McMurray. (photo: CTV News)


Catastrophic Canadian Wildfire Is a Sign of Destruction to Come

By Mark Fischetti, Scientific American

07 May 16

 

Less snow and warmer spring mean more acres burned

he intense wildfire that has forced thousands of people to evacuate Fort McMurray and surrounding areas in Alberta arrived early in the wildfire season, fueled by hot, windy weather. Scientists say big fires will ignite sooner and sooner in the year in the western U.S. and Canada as the snow pack continues to dwindle during warmer winters or dries out sooner during warmer springs, leaving terrain parched for more weeks of the year. In the American West a 1-degree Celsius rise in average temperature could increase the annual acreage burned by up to 600 percent in certain regions. See the map below for details.

(photo: Scientific American/Bryan Christie)

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