Scientists say reducing fossil fuels is the key to limiting wildfire smoke

Scientists say the best longterm way to reduce the smoky skies affecting Toronto and other southern Ontario cities is to address climate change by cutting fossil fuel use. The article explains that while more firefighting resources can help protect communities, they cannot stop every wildfire in Canada’s vast boreal forest. Warmer temperatures, drought, and changing weather patterns are making fires more intense and smoke more likely to travel long distances. Experts quoted in the story say Canada is warming faster than the global average, and that this is drying out forests and increasing fire risk. They also note that smoke conditions this summer were worsened by weather patterns such as El Niño and a heat dome that may have helped trap smoke over southern cities.