Western Canada is not calming down as the fires continue to rage – despite rain showers and falling temperatures. In the province of Alberta, more than 375,000 hectares of land have now burned and more than 29,000 people have had to leave their homes. In total, 31 of the 108 active forest fires are out of control.
The province of Alberta declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening due to the extent of the fire. This will free up federal funds to fight the flames. The area burned so far is almost the size of Burgenland.
Rain might help a bit
The recent rains have aided firefighting efforts, said Christie Tucker, chief of the Alberta Wildfire Fire Protection Agency. “This gave the firefighters the opportunity to work on some fires that they previously couldn’t reach due to the extreme progression of the fires.” Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are also expected in the coming days. She asked for help, including from the neighboring US state of Montana.
The extent of the damage cannot yet be estimated, authorities said. Alberta Civil Protection Agency director Colin Blair said protecting lives and dealing with emergencies is a priority, according to broadcaster CBC.
Number of fires is increasing
Authorities say there have been more than 360 fires since January. This is an exceptionally high number as May has only just begun. In 2016, Alberta had already experienced massive fires, when more than 2,400 buildings were destroyed.
With climate change in mind, experts warn that the frequency and intensity of wildfires will increase. In the prairie provinces in the west of the country, average temperatures have increased by 1.9 degrees Celsius since the mid-20th century, according to the Agency for Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
