Another wildfire in Canada forces residents to evacuate the city

The Halifax Regional Municipality set up temporary accommodation for people fleeing the fire. However, the wildfire aided by strong winds and tinder-dry woods made the rescue services difficult. The authorities on Monday, May 29 reminded residents that the evacuation orders are mandatory and hence need to be followed.

In a press release on Sunday, May 28, municipal authorities stated that the "emergency responders are working around the clock to keep people safe and reduce the threats posed by the fires". Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum said that around 100 firefighters battled the fires overnight. He further anticipated that the emergency crews would have to work for several days ahead in order to control the wildfire.

The wildfire caused power outages. Roads which were affected due to smoke and flames made it difficult for the residents to evacuate the city. Videos of a dashcam recording the astonishment of the driver and the passenger leaving the city engulfed by smoke have been doing the rounds on social media platforms.

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage commented on Monday, May 29 on the fast-moving wildfire that has resulted in a mandatory evacuation process. He said that "we are in an unprecedented fire response that has displaced more than 16,000 residents of our community. Now, we have not expanded the perimeter since yesterday, which is some hope that perhaps the situation has stabilized".
 

Additional kit have been shipped in from Ontario to provide relief during a time of crisis. A dozen water bombers from neighboring regions and the Coast Guard have also joined efforts to douse the flames and assist with evacuations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Monday, May 29 on the situation in Nova Scotia. He referred to the wildfire situation in Halifax as "incredibly serious," and said that his government was ready to provide any assistance, if needed.
 

Alberta and British Columbia, western provinces of Canada have also been dealing with an unusually warm spring this year which has sparked several out-of-control wildfires. These wildfires have also resulted in the temporary stop on oil and gas production. However, since most of those fires have been brought under control, the oil and gas production have resumed as of now.

Western Canada has been hit by extreme weather, including floods and mudslides, forest fires in the recent years. Additionally the region has witnessed record-high summer temperatures that killed more than 500 people in 2021.

Earlier in May, wildfires in Alberta burned nearly one million hectares of forests and grasslands, and displaced nearly 30,000 people.