More and more people in Canada have to get to safety because of the wildfires. In addition to fierce fires in the Northwest Territories, a fire in the southwest of the country is also threatening several cities.
These are near Okanagan Lake, which is popular with tourists. The fire, which authorities said on Friday morning (local time), covered an area of about 1,100 hectares, is located just ten kilometers from the city of West Kelowna in the British Columbia region.
A state of emergency was declared there on Thursday. According to broadcaster CBC, there were evacuation orders for about 2,500 people in West Kelowna. That number is expected to rise, local fire chief Jason Brolund told the broadcaster. 36,000 people live in the city. Images showed the city with some tall buildings and a marina in the foreground and the approaching flames on the hills behind. Moreover, the wind drove the fires further and further.
state of emergency declared
The city of Kelowna on the other side of the lake also declared a state of emergency early Friday morning. Individual fires had spread to the city, according to a statement from authorities. Residents of various neighborhoods were therefore asked to leave their homes. Nearly 150,000 people live in Kelowna, according to broadcaster CBC. It’s about 60 miles from the US border as the crow flies in a much more densely populated area than many of the fires in the north.
In the capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, the evacuation of about 20,000 residents continues. There, too, the forest fires are raging just a few kilometers from the city limits. Barring rain, the fires could reach the suburbs over the weekend, regional environment secretary Shane Thompson warned at a news conference.
people are being flown out
By Thursday evening, about 1,500 people had flown out of Yellowknife, authorities said at a news conference Thursday evening. On Friday, another 1,800 people would be brought to safety with 22 flights. It was initially unknown how many people had already left the city by land. Photos showed long queues to register for the flights. Thousands more left the city in cars heading south.
Months of forest fires
Canada has been battling wildfires in various parts of the country for months. Wildfires are an annual occurrence in many parts of Canada, often requiring evacuation of people. However, this year is the worst known wildfire season in the country’s history. With climate change, experts warn that fires will become more frequent and more destructive. In western Canada’s prairie provinces, average temperatures have risen 1.9 degrees Celsius since the mid-20th century, according to the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
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.
