OTTAWA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian federal government on Thursday updated the 2024 wildfire season projections, warning that above-normal temperatures nationwide could lead to greater wildfire risks.

According to a news release issued by Public Safety Canada, drought conditions are expected to persist in high-risk regions in May, including the southern regions of the prairie and western provinces.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting continued above-normal temperatures nationwide for the spring and summer period which would exacerbate the risk and intensity of both natural and human-caused wildfires, the release said.

Last year, Canadians experienced the most destructive forest fire season in the nation's history. According to the Canadian National Fire Database, there were 7,131 fires recorded nationally in 2023, burning a total of 17,203,625 hectares, the highest ever recorded with the previous record being set in 1989, or 7,597,266 hectares.

Government analysis showed that climate-related impacts are costing average Canadian households 720 Canadian dollars (526 U.S. dollars) per year today and will rise to around 2,000 Canadian dollars (1,462 U.S. dollars) per year by 2050. In 2023, Canada's severe weather caused over 3.1 billion Canadian dollars (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) in insured damages, the release said.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, a total of 90 fires were actively burning nationwide on Thursday with 15 fires categorized as out of control. Enditem

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