Latest news with #forestfires
National Post
7 days ago
- Business
- National Post
SSR Mining Announces Restart of Operations at Seabee
DENVER — SSR Mining Inc. (Nasdaq/TSX: SSRM) ('SSR Mining' or the 'Company') announces that operations at Seabee were restarted in the evening of June 13, 2025. Operations had been suspended for approximately two weeks due to temporary power interruptions caused by forest fires to the north of the mine. Power supply has been fully restored and there was no damage to the site.
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Funds to tackle Europe's forest fires being misdirected, says EU watchdog
European funds to prevent forest fires have been poorly targeted and sometimes distributed in a hurry, according to a critical report from the EU's spending watchdog. The number of forest fires in EU countries has increased dramatically over the last two decades as the climate crisis fuels ever bigger conflagrations. An area twice the size of Luxembourg has been consumed by flames in an average recent year, killing people, destroying homes and wildlife and sending megatonnes of planet-heating emissions into the air. The European Court of Auditors praised the decision to devote more money to preventing fires, but said European-funded projects were not always spent where they could make the biggest difference. In Greece, authorities were using a map drawn up in 1980 to assess the risk of forest fires. In Portugal, one area selected as a priority for funds contained a zone that was underwater due to a recently-built dam. The auditors raised such concerns against the backdrop of a sharp increase in EU funds to prevent and respond to forest fires. EU funding has increased through the €650 Covid recovery fund, launched in 2020 with the aim of helping EU member states recover from the pandemic-induced crisis, by strengthening environmental policies and their technological base. Greece, for example, is on course to receive €837m of recovery funds between 2020-26 to combat forest fires, having benefited from €49m in EU funds during the previous seven-year budget period. Spain and, to a lesser extent, Portugal have also seen a sharp uplift in EU funds dedicated to forest fires. The €650bn recovery and resilience fund, almost entirely funded by borrowing on markets, has already been criticised by auditors as lacking transparency and accountability. The latest report highlights how governments have felt pressure to spend money quickly, leading to questionable decisions. Portugal's rural fire management agency, for instance, was not involved in decisions on how to spend Covid recovery funds to combat forest fires, worth €615m over seven years. A Portuguese authority due to receive fire engines could not meet a 48-hour deadline from Lisbon to outline their needs; ultimately key decisions on the fleet of 55 vehicles were made by national officials. EU funds can be spent on activities to prevent or respond quickly to fires, such as cutting back vegetation, or building roads to ensure firefighting trucks quickly reach forested areas. The temporary nature of the Covid recovery funds, which expire in 2026, also raised questions about future funding. Vegetation, for example, needs to be cut back every three to four years to maintain firebreaks. Nikolaos Milionis, the ECA member in charge of the inquiry, said: 'We found that on a positive note more human money is being spent on prevention of fires. However, the way the European funded projects are selected means the money does not always go where it could make the biggest difference.' He added that little was known about the results of EU-funded projects, or whether they would be continued. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion The European Commission, which oversees EU funds, has been contacted for comment. Between 2021 and 2024 there was an annual average of 1,874 forest fires in the EU, burning 527,000 hectares a year, compared with an annual average of 567 fires between 2006-10 that laid waste to 268,000 hectares a year.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Forest fire smoke prompts air quality concerns across northeastern Ontario
Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for much of northeastern Ontario, including areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for much of northeastern Ontario, including areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. 'Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility,' the statement said Saturday. 'High levels of air pollution due to smoke from forest fires are expected to return tonight and persist into Sunday. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.' Symptoms caused by forest fire smoke in the air include eye irritation, headaches and mild coughing. 'More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,' Environment Canada said. 'If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.' Keep windows closed People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. 'When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible,' Environment Canada said. 'When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator-type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution. Learn more by clicking here. Click here for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘It's smoky out': Londoners cope with poor air quality
A haze is present in the air across much of southwestern Ontario as forest fire smoke from the west continues to affect air quality. 'It's been poor for the past few days, particularly earlier this morning,' said David Pavletic, Manager of Health Hazards at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. At 7 a.m. Friday, Environment Canada reported the air quality index had almost reached 10, the maximum score. That's when Pavletic states things get serious. 060625 - smoky air David Pavletic, Manager of Health Hazards, Middlesex-London Health Unit. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London) 'The recommendation at that point would be to the general population to reduce activities outdoors and strenuous activities, for sure.' But air quality fluctuates with wind patterns. The unpredictability led some Londoners to be proactive, including senior Pauline Salisbury, who opted to wear a mask on a visit to Cherryhill Village Mall. 'I have a cough, and it's smoky out,' she explained. Another not taking many chances was parent Kiki Charles. She took her son, Elijah, to a city playground while the index was low. 'I wanted to kind of beat the bad weather.' As the pair had fun, she was mindful of advisories warning that children, seniors and those with compromised health face the greatest risk from the smoky air. 'I pay attention to whether or not he's exhausted or dehydrated,' Charles said. Even while indoors, there are safety precautions health officials recommend. They include closing all windows and doors and considering the purchase of a good quality air filter for heating and cooling systems. Not everyone heeds the advice, including Sandy Kirby. 'I read it. I'm careful, but I don't get all frantic about it.' Still, health officials advise that the poor air is expected to linger through the weekend. 060625 - smoky air Pauline Salisbury, opted to wear a mask on Friday. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London) That's why Pauline plans to keep her mask on. 'Well, like, I know some friends of mine who have a chronic cough. So, if they see me wearing a mask, then hopefully they will too, and protect themselves.'
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Forest fire smoke impacts air quality for London and Middlesex
A special air quality statement has been issued by Environment Canada for areas including London and Middlesex County. A special air quality statement has been issued by Environment Canada for areas including London and Middlesex County. A special air quality statement has been issued by Environment Canada for areas including London, Middlesex County, Lambton County, Windsor and Essex. 'The forest fire smoke from the Prairies has made its way down into Ontario and will continue to affect our air quality over the coming days,' said CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison. Environment Canada recommends reducing outdoor activity, especially for vulnerable people. Thursday's rainfall is expected to come to an end in the evening, with some breaks of sunshine. Friday and Saturday will both have a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 24. Saturday's probability of showers will drop down to 30 per cent. Here's a look at the rest of the forecast Thursday: A few showers ending this afternoon then cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Local smoke. High 20. UV index 4 or moderate. Thursday night: Cloudy. Hazy. Low 10. Friday: Cloudy. Clearing late in the afternoon. High 24. Humidex 26. UV index 6 or high. Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 24. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 23. Monday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 22. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers. High 23.
