Nearly 46,000 square kilometers of forest have burned since the start of the year, much higher than the previous average, partly due to the effects of climate change that has caused the country to warm faster than other areas.
Wildfires in Canada. Photo: Le Monde
Western Canada has been hit hard. After days of relative calm, wildfires have flared up again in Alberta, forcing the town of Edson to evacuate for the second time since May.
“The fire got so out of control that some of the rangers had to pull out. They couldn’t fight this fire,” said Luc Mercier, Yellowhead County Executive.
In British Columbia, the 2,400 residents of the town of Tumbler Ridge were evacuated as a fire approached just miles from the city.
In the east of the country, Quebec Public Security Director Francois Bonnardel said Saturday morning that the situation in the central and northwestern parts of the province remains difficult, with some towns under threat.
“This is the first time in Quebec's history that we've had to fight so many fires and evacuate so many people,” he said. “This fight could last all summer.”
About 14,000 people are being evacuated in the province. Environmental agencies currently list 416 active fires in the country, 203 of which are classified as out of control.
Hoang Nam (according to AFP)
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