More wildfires means more destruction

Once again the spotlight shines on climate change as wildfires have engulfed large farming communities across Europe, North and Southern Africa and North America during their summer seasons.

The worst reported incident of the year was in Canada where wildfires were reported to have destroyed more than 20 million hectares of land.

In the area of Nova Scotia, the local government reported that wildfires started in May this year. According to media reports, close to 50 farms were affected in this area alone.

The Ministry of Forestry and Parks said that 640 wildfires were already reported at the end of their summer season.The ministry said that many farmers, did not just lose crops and livestock, many lost all their equipment and their homes.

The agricultural department had assisted some livestock farmers with moving their stock before the fires could spread, but they did not have the means to get to all farms in time.

In Africa, farms in Tunisia were left completely devasted as wildfires broke out on the Algeria border.

Olive tree farms, chicken farms and bee farms were completely destroyed as some were grateful to have escaped with their lives.

The main source of income in Tunisia is agriculture so this was a big knock for the country, said the World Bank in their recent gross domestic report.

In Europe, the EU reported that the worst-hit agricultural area was Greece where 81ha of land were engulfed in flames.

This area included greenhouses with vegetables, orchards and crops which were destroyed.

The EU said that thousands of livestock were also killed in the fire. The EU said that the aftermath of these wildfires, which includes the impact on the soil and future cropping, is yet to be assessed in this area.

EXTENT OF THE HAVOC WREAKED BY THE WILDFIRES IS YET TO BE ASSESSED

A satellite shot of one of the hundreds of wildfires in Canada this year.