A 61-year old American-born, Canadian author has been awarded the UK’s Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction for his work “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World.”

The book tells he story of the 2016 wild fire that engulfed Fort McMurray, Alberta.

BC based writer John Vaillant says his book shows that fire is different now, and we’ve made it different through human-driven climate change.  He points to this year’s record wildfire season as having grave implications for the future.

The chief of the judging panel said the book tells a terrifying story that reads almost like a thriller with a deep science backdrop.

The Baillie Gifford Prize recognizes English-language books from any country, covering current affairs, history, politics and the arts.

It comes with a $62-thousand cash award.