The massive footprint of this year's wildfires

Plus, credit card usage by generation and Toronto's secret nighttime beach game [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on this year’s wildfire season, credit card use among different generations and the secret beach game played under pitch-black skies. DON’T MISS Megan Albu/AFP via Getty Images climate crisis [Here’s how much earth Canada’s wildfires may scorch this year]( This year’s spring wildfire season has already seen 2,214 wildfires burn more than 3.3 million hectares of Canadian wildland. At this rate, the end of the season in August will see more scorched forest than has ever been recorded, officials said Monday. With fires blazing from coast to coast, the season has been “unprecedented” — partially a result of the climate crisis. Steve McKinley reports on [why “every province and territory will need to be on high alert throughout this wildfire season” — and what is being done to control the blazes](. - By the numbers: The 10-year average for fires at this time of year is 1,624 with 254,429 hectares burned — about 13 times less than this year. - The aftermath: Fires in six provinces and territories have pushed about 120,000 people to evacuate so far this year. Approximately 26,000 are still unable to return home. - Meanwhile: If the hot weather keeps up, a report says [Ontario is “at risk” of power shortages this summer](. AP File Photo personal finance [Why Gen-Xers are more likely to rely on credit cards for essentials like groceries than any other generation]( According to a recent study of 1,000 Canadian adults, 76 per cent of Gen-Xers have used a credit card to pay for purchases like groceries and utilities over the past year. However, only 53 per cent of Gen-Z can say the same. Why? This younger cohort is much more likely to have a “debit-first” mindset to spending. [Dhriti Gupta reports on the various factors at play, from access to credit to different life stages and today’s pressures](. - Go deeper: “People are stretched,” one expert said, adding that the average level of credit card debt has been growing over the last six to 12 months. “They don’t have enough cash in their wallet to meet their day-to-day living expenses, and they are putting it on credit without a plan for paying it off. They’re just using it to get by, to bridge the gap.” - Watch for: Will the Bank of Canada raise interest rates on Wednesday? [Here’s what will factor into its decision](. Richard Lautens/The Star sports [This secret Toronto beach game is played in the dead of night]( As the sun goes down at Ashbridges Bay, eight players along the Woodbine Beach boardwalk smack a volleyball back and forth underneath a set of makeshift LED lights, as a dozen others laugh and cheer courtside. They’ve played in the rain, they’ve played in the snow and in the summer, when the weather has been irresistibly warm, they’ve played until sunrise. The pickup game at the park can be traced back to 2010, Mathew Silver reports. [Take a closer look at the secret beach volleyball matches and the people playing](. - Vibe check: “This is more social than typical beach volleyball. It’s sort of like hosting a barbecue — people come by whenever they want and hang out,” says nightball founder Peter Tsirlis. “And we don’t bother the people in the community, who obviously want a quiet beach at night. We’re off in the distance, past the boardwalk, far from the residential area.” - More: “It’s a mixture of people from different backgrounds — Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian,” one member says. “All different skill levels, from former college players to first-timers, which makes things interesting. I’ve seen random girls in dresses jump off the boardwalk and start playing.” [Next Up] There’s a new way to end your day with the Star. Our new nightly newsletter, Next Up, is your can’t-miss way to keep up with all of the latest developments everywhere from city hall to the Greenbelt. Every evening, it’ll give you the newest updates on the day’s top stories — plus what to expect tomorrow. [Sign up for free here](. WHAT ELSE [Pride Toronto is no longer expected to cut programming]( thanks to emergency federal funding. [David Johnston is set to testify before MPs]( just days after some of them asked him to quit. York’s Catholic school trustees are abusing their power by refusing to raise the Pride flag. [Their day of reckoning is coming](. Attacks on Olivia Chow’s property tax plan are fear-mongering nonsense. [Here’s why the actual number won’t be scary](. Two years after the murder of the Azfaal family, [Islamophobia is still a threat to our lives — and our democracy](. No matter who wins, [the Stanley Cup will make its way to a First Nation in Canada this year](. Registration for Toronto’s 6,900 summer recreation programs starts today and tomorrow. [Here’s what you need to know](. “Dodging” taxes? [An international tax watchdog is questioning Canadian asset management giant Brookfield’s transparency](. Serial killer Paul Bernardo is being transferred to a medium-security prison. [Read the statement from the Correctional Service of Canada here](. Rats have moved in to feast on food left for pigeons along Bloor Street. [The city just shrugs](. ICYMI Canadian Press/Chris Young [Travel is back — and prices are up. Here are five ways to save money on your vacation this summer.]( CLOSE-UP Steve Russell/The Star TORONTO: A red moon hangs in the sky over Toronto on June 4 as a result of wildfire smoke from Quebec. [Here’s how else the city is feeling the effects of the fires](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_185338). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](