The Egg fire sears a peninsula jutting into Lac La Ronge on Friday in central Saskatchewan

The Egg fire sears a peninsula jutting into Lac La Ronge on Friday in central Saskatchewan
Photo Credit: Submitted by Scott Knudsen, Northscape Photography via CBC

Wildfires- bad, getting worse

Smoke, evacuations

It is easily heading towards one of the worst wildfire seasons in Canada.

Throughout much of northern and western Canada, an unusually hot and dry spring has meant a record start to the forest fire season and warnings of extreme risk conditions.

Much of western Canada is under extreme risk of wildfires due to an unusually hot dry spring More fires have started in all throe provinces since this CBC news report on Sunday.
Much of western Canada is under extreme risk of wildfires due to an unusually hot dry spring More fires have started in all throe provinces since this CBC news report on Sunday. © CBC tv

 Smoke from the many wildfires is once again blanketing a vast area of a Canadian province.

After reports last week that most of the central prairie province of Saskatchewan was blanketed in smoke, comes news that much of lower British Columbia on the west coast is now experiencing the same problem with 31 new fires started in the last 24 hours with a total of 144 burning in that province

 

Even a bright sun barely penetrates the smokey haze over Vancouver
Even a bright sun barely penetrates the smokey and somewhat eerie sepia haze over Vancouver © Mike Clarke/CBC
B.C. wildfires of note: Map shows more than 61 fires larger than 10 hectares. The fires in yellow circles began within the last 24 hours, those in red are active and those in yellow flames are the largest.
B.C. wildfires of note: Map shows more than 61 fires larger than 10 hectares. The fires in yellow circles began within the last 24 hours, those in red are active and those in yellow flames are the largest. © (B.C. Wildfire Management Branch

Meanwhile in British Columbia’s neighbouring province of Alberta, there are currently 120 wildfires burning across the north of the province, according to wildfire information officer Geoffrey Driscoll. Of those, 52 are considered to be out of control.

Largest evacuation in Saskatchewan history

In the central prairie province of Saskatchewan almost 8,000 people have had to be evacuated from homes in the province around La Ronge, about 450 kilometres north of Saskatoon.  This latest group is in addition to almost 6,000 already evacuated and receiving support from the Ministry of Social Services.

A massive plume of smoke rises from a wildfire in the LaRonge, Sask., area on Wednesday. There are 114 fires burning in northern Saskatchewan as of midday Saturday.
A massive plume of smoke rises from a wildfire in the LaRonge, Sask., area on Wednesday. There are 114 fires burning in northern Saskatchewan as of midday Saturday. © Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment/ Wildfire Branch/Canadian Press

The Canadian military is now being called in to the province of Saskatchewan. Some 1,400 personnel , including a firefighting force and integral logistics support,  are preparing to help fight fires there.  Also, CFB Cold Lake (4 Wing) is prepared to provide additional housing for evacuated residents should it be necessary.

 

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