Wildfires raging through the northern part of Canada’s Alberta have forced evacuations of three communities, a provincial body said on Saturday, as the oil-rich province continues to fight five different “wildfires of note” in separate areas.
A wildfire of note is often considered to be of significant threat to public safety, communities, and critical infrastructure.
The evacuation orders have been issued across John D’Or, Fox Lake, and Garden River communities in northern Alberta, covering close to 62,000 hectares and comprising 5,000 inhabitants. No threat to oil sands production was mentioned.
Alberta is in the grip of 158 wildfire events, of which 55 are out of control, which means a fire is expected to continue growing and a perimeter has not yet been established. Not all out-of-control wildfires require evacuation of people.
“Fire activity is expected to remain intense throughout the weekend as the hot and dry weather continues,” said the Alberta government’s wildfire service in a statement.
There are over 200 firefighters and support staff; 10 helicopters and 43 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex, it said, adding the fire was caused by lightning.
Meanwhile, evacuation orders have been issued in British Columbia, where up to 319 active wildfires are burning. Evacuation orders have been issued on Saturday due to an uncontrolled wildfire blazing between two lakes, BC Wildfire Service said on social media.
The provincial government reported that 11 evacuation orders have been issued in the last 24 hours within three “wildfires of note” in the northern region – the Shetland Creek, Aylwin Creek, and Komakuk fires.
No new evacuation orders have been issued in the southern part of the province, the provincial government said.
Source: Reuters
