Global Courant 2023-05-07 20:03:04
Almost all of Alberta and much of the neighboring province of Saskatchewan are at extreme fire risk.
Alberta has declared a state of emergency as wildfires flare up in the Canadian province, forcing 25,000 people to flee their homes in what a top official said was an “unprecedented” crisis.
Thousands more have been told to be prepared to leave immediately as the number of fires – fueled by high winds – has risen to 110.
A third of the fires were listed as out of control.
“We have declared a provincial state of emergency to protect the safety, health and well-being of Albertans,” the province’s premier Danielle Smith told a news conference Saturday after a meeting of her government’s emergency management committee.
Earlier she said the province – one of the world’s largest oil-producing regions – has “experienced a hot, dry spring, and with so much kindling, it only takes a few sparks to ignite some truly terrifying wildfires”.
“These circumstances have resulted in the unprecedented situation facing our province today,” she said.
More than 20 communities have been evacuated so far and at least 122,000 hectares (301,000 acres) have burned, according to Smith.
The state of emergency declaration gives the Alberta government “greater powers to respond to extreme situations,” she said, including mobilizing additional resources and releasing emergency funds.
About 110 fires were active, 33 of which were listed as out of control (Alberta Wildfire/Handout via Reuters)
Nearly all of Alberta — in the midst of the election — and much of the neighboring province of Saskatchewan, as well as much of the Northwest Territories, face extreme fire risks, according to a federal government fire hazard map.
Federal Secretary of Emergency Situations Bill Blair tweeted that Ottawa was ready to provide federal assistance if needed.
Oil sands facilities closely monitored the hazards, but none reported production interruptions.
Drayton Valley, home to 7,000 people — about 140 km (87 mi) west of Edmonton — was one of the communities evacuated as firefighters battled an out-of-control blaze.
About 340 miles north of the county seat, a severe fire destroyed 20 homes, a store and a police station in the community of Fox Lake.
Residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter.
The city of Edson, which has a population of more than 8,000, has also been ordered to “evacuate immediately”.
In recent years, Western Canada has been hit repeatedly by extreme weather, which has increased in intensity and frequency due to global warming.
Wildfires in Canada’s oil sands region in 2016 disrupted production and displaced 100,000 residents from Fort McMurray, wreaking havoc on the country’s economy.
More recently, in 2021, British Columbia’s westernmost province suffered record summer temperatures that killed more than 500 people, as well as wildfires that destroyed an entire city.
That was followed by devastating floods and mudslides.
