Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canadian Fires - AND How YOU Can Help

I lived for several years in Northern California - at the top of the valley, just two hours from Oregon. We had mountains - seriously large mountains - on three sides . . . it was SO beautiful! But, then fires became a problem in the summer and so much land burned - I know how heartbreaking this is and I have personally been able to see the damage caused by wildfires. A few years ago my husband's sister and her husband survived the Carr Fire which was an enormous fire in the Redding, CA, area - the fire actually jumped the Sacramento River. So, as I hear the news about the fires burning in Canada, my heart breaks for the people who are losing their homes and for all the damage the fire is causing. Here in Michigan it is VERY smoky outside today, and will likely be so for a few days. Today I want to update you on what is happening with the fires in Canada . . .

• There are currently 838 active wildfires burning across Canada.
• Lightening sparked some of the fires, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and are burning nearly 44.5 million acres (18 million hectares), these fires were exacerbated by climate change.
• Indigenous communities have been especially hard hit by the fires. Members of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation were forced to flee by boat as fires engulfed their community. Residents reported having only minutes to gather their belongings before homes were overtaken by the flames... Several First Nations are facing mandatory evacuation orders issued by their Leadership with support from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). As the situation rapidly unfolds, many other Nations are currently undergoing processes to declare states of emergencies and evacuate their communities as well. 
• Indigenous communities in Canada account for over 42% of all wildfire evacuations events despite representing only 5% of the total population.

You will find my full post about these heartbreaking fires AND how YOU can help at this link.