Wildfires in Canada: Widespread blaze in western region forces evacuations
File photo.
Thousands of people in Western Canada fled their homes on Sunday (May 12) as the season's wildfires began earlier than usual.EnvironmentCanadaissued aspecialair quality statement that extends from British Columbia to Ontario, the news agency Reuters reported early Monday.
The government, meanwhile, said thatevacuation orders were issuedover the weekend for small towns in the Alberta and Manitoba provinces, while smoke from wildfires drifted over much of westernCanada, lowering air quality dramatically.
Fort Nelsonamongworst affected regions
British Columbia'sFort Nelson town was among the worst affected regions. Speaking to the news agency AFP, NRRM Mayor Rob Fraser saidthat fireswere all around Fort Nelson from the west to the northeast.
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Fraserurged hundreds of people who stayed put toget out ofthe town.
AFP reported that a fire covering an area of 6,200 acres was burning 3.5 kilometresto thewest of Fort Nelson.Nearly 3,500were evacuatedby Friday evening.Fraser told the news agency on Sunday thatcooler weather overnight helped slow the advance of the firebutstrong winds later picked up in the afternoon, which could fan the flames.
In Alberta,43 fires were burning, including one 15 kilometres fromthe town ofFort McMurray, forcing people to prepare for possible evacuations.
Evacuation alerts were in place in several municipalities of Alberta. Though there was no immediate risk,the alerts ensured thatresidentswere preparedto evacuate if conditions changed.
Another catastrophic wildfire season
The government has warned that Canada would faceanother "catastrophic" wildfire season as it forecast higher-than-normal spring and summer temperatures across much of the country.
Also watch |Wildfires: The burning issue
Last yearwasCanada's worst ever for forest fires, with flames burning from coast to coast and charringmore than15 million hectares of land. Eight firefighters diedand230,000 peoplewere evacuated.
(With inputs from agencies)