Canada wildfire emissions now double the previous record

Smoky haze from wildfires in Canada in New York City. Picture: AP /Andy Bao

Emissions from Canada's wildfires that covered major American cities in a thick haze for days this summer have already doubled the previous record for such blazes.

As records continue from extreme weather events engulfing much of the world in the past three months, data from the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (Cams) show that as of the end of July, the total estimated wildfire carbon emissions for the year to date in Canada double 2014 emissions.