The season's first major wildfires have ignited across Western Canada, scorching approximately 8,000 hectares on Sunday. In British Columbia, the flames have rapidly spread, leading authorities to issue an evacuation order for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nations. Thousands of residents have been moved to safety as the fire consumes 2,483 hectares near Fort Nelson.
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser shared in a TV interview that most of the 3,500 residents in and around Fort Nelson have been evacuated. Additionally, Fort Nelson First Nation, located just seven kilometers from the town, has issued an evacuation order for the Indigenous community of Fontas.
Across the border in Alberta, the situation remains tense as residents of Fort McMurray, a pivotal oil hub previously devastated by wildfires in 2016, have been urged to prepare for potential evacuation. Alberta authorities have identified two extreme wildfires, with one 16 kilometers southwest of Fort McMurray expanding to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
While the fire has momentarily subdued on Sunday, soaring temperatures are expected to reignite the blaze. Southeast winds pose a threat of pushing the wildfire away from major highways and toward the Athabasca River. Mayor Fraser attributed the fire's ignition to a fallen tree striking a power line amid strong winds.
Efforts to control the wildfire are ongoing, with six wildland firefighting crews, 13 helicopters, and airtankers deployed to tackle the flames. Despite these measures, the federal government has issued a stark warning about a potentially catastrophic wildfire season, anticipating higher-than-normal temperatures fueled by El Niño conditions.
Canada's unusually warm and dry winter, marked by minimal snowfall, has heightened concerns about a hot summer that could trigger extensive forest and wildland fires, exacerbated by an ongoing drought.
Reference(s):
Western Canada blazes cause evacuation orders, air quality concerns
cgtn.com
