Alberta

Question 1

Where and when

Answer 1

Western Canada and May 2016

Question 2

What caused it

Answer 2

-unusually high temperatures
-very low humidity
-warm April made plants tinder dry
suspected
but direct cause unknown e.g child lighting fireworks

Question 3

Effects

Answer 3

-2400 homes burned down , displacement
-9 Billion in damage which affected roads/aid
-0 deaths
-Several million tonnes of co2 released into the atmosphere
-Increased anxiety as locals feared this would become a normality due to climate change and this sparked political debate

Question 4

What enhanced it

Answer 4

-High temperatures over 30 degrees
-strong winds
-Self made weather including thunderstorms which enhanced fires , positive feedback
2 theories for what caused the favourable conditions
-EL NINO
-Less strong link to climate change

Question 5

Short term response

Answer 5

-Using meteorological data to predict fires movement allowing warnings to be issued and emergency services to be mobilised in time
-quick and efficient evacuation of 90,000 which explains 0 deaths

Question 6

Long term response

Answer 6

-June 2016 benefit concert “fire aid” took place to raise money for those affected
-In June residents were also allowed back in and the Canadian Prime minister promised long term aid