Thousands of people have been evacuated from a northeastern British Columbia municipality due to a nearby wildfire, as the province braces for worsening conditions and fires rage near several communities in Western Canada.
In an update released Sunday, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality urged all remaining residents to leave as fire risks “have reached a higher level.”
The update says a weather system will bring strong westerly winds, posing a threat to the town of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, located just east of the Parker wildfire Lake, which now covers 25 square kilometers.
Out-of-control fires are also burning in Alberta, near the communities of Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued an alert for Fort McMurray residents to be prepared to evacuate at short notice.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Wildfire approaches Fort Nelson, British Columbia
In Manitoba, a wildfire near Flin Flon, some 760 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg, forced the evacuation of a number of homes and cottages in the area. The City has issued a notice stating that Highway 10 towards Cranberry Portage, Manitoba has been closed.
Wildfires in Western Canada are also creating poor air quality in a number of regions stretching from Manitoba to British Columbia. Environment Canada has reported a “very high risk” of poor air quality for Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well as a number of smaller Prairie towns.
The weather agency says other communities could face very high risk, including Fort St. John, British Columbia, Medicine Hat, Drayton Valley and Cold Lake, Alberta, and Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
“Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or if you or someone in your care does not feel well,” Environment Canada said in its air quality warning, adding that people should stay indoors if possible. Contact your healthcare provider or local health authorities if you develop serious symptoms or need advice. »
In Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Environment Canada predicts winds will intensify Sunday evening and reach 20 kilometers/hour, with gusts of up to 50 kilometers/hour by Monday.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality notes that the wind “has the potential to significantly increase the size of fires over the next 48 hours.” The Fort Nelson emergency operations center will also move south later today.
“Please know that the decision to evacuate was not taken lightly. It is based on careful assessment and expert advice. The safety of residents is our priority, the update states.
“At this time, all residents currently remaining in the community are strongly urged to reconsider their decision and evacuate immediately. You are our friends, our family and our neighbors. Please stay safe. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Forest fire approaching Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Elsewhere, an update from Alberta Wildfire says the fire burning 16 kilometers southwest of Fort McMurray has grown to 55 square kilometers and fire risks range from very high to extreme in a much of the north of the province.
In Manitoba, the government announced that the fire near Flin Flon extended over approximately 30 square kilometers and that 10 teams from Ontario were expected to come in next week.