new evacuations in Alberta, nearly 30,000 people displaced

Evacuations continued in western Canada on Sunday, May 7, due to the progression of dozens of forest fires. This brings the number of displaced persons to nearly 30,000 in a few days, a situation “unprecedented” at this time of year. Some 107 forest or brush fires were still active in the province of Alberta on Sunday evening, 28 of which were not brought under control by firefighters. The day before, the local authorities had declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of 25,000 inhabitants.

“We had scattered light showers in the south of the province, detailed a spokeswoman for Alberta relief. This allowed firefighters to attack some areas they had been unable to approach due to the extreme behavior of the fires.” This slight lull does not concern “Unfortunately” not the north of the province, where conditions remain very difficult. It also prevents the authorities from accurately assessing the extent of the damage.

Alberta “had a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, it only takes a few sparks to start some really scary fires”, Provincial Premier Danielle Smith said on Saturday. Two forest fires have also forced residents from their homes in the neighboring province of British Columbia. Authorities have warned they expect strong winds to swell the fires in the coming days. In recent years, western Canada has been hit repeatedly by extreme weather events, the intensity and frequency of which have increased due to global warming.