Photos: Haunting visuals of out-of-control wildfires burning across Canada
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.
Bill Blair and six other federal cabinet ministers provided an update Monday on Canada's wildfire situation, even as smoke from fires north and west of the city covered Parliament Hill's Peace Tower in a grey haze.
As of late Monday afternoon, 424 fires were burning across Canada, more than 250 of which are considered out of control.
"To date, there have been 2,214 wildfires nationally, so far this year. And approximately 3.3 million hectares have been burnt," Blair said.
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Environment Canada has issued special air quality advisories for large swaths of Ontario and Quebec, warning of high levels of pollution from wildfires burning across both provinces.
Ottawa, Belleville and Kingston registered some of the worst air pollution levels in the country, maxing out the air quality index at very high risk.
A new fire risk forecast shows that risk remains well above average in parts of every province and territory except Newfoundland and Labrador, where the risk in most of Labrador is still above average, while the risk in Newfoundland is just average.
Prime Minister Trudeau said the government has approved aid requests from Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec and has agreed to send Canadian Armed Forces troops.
"If things get worse, we are developing contingency plans and we will of course make sure that we are there, whether it's leaning more on international supports, whether it's standing up other resources," he said.
"We will be there to ensure all Canadians are protected right through this summer."
With files from CBC and The Canadian Press