Maxime Duperré took this video of the fire burning over 25,000 hectares 40 kms. from the Cree community of Nemiscau in northern Quebec, before he had to flee the rapidly approaching flames in his truck
Photo Credit: Maxime Duperré/Youtube

Forest fires raging in several areas of Canada

Following heavy rain storms across much of southern Canada, northern areas have remained hot and dry. With that heat comes summer thunderstorms and lighting strikes which have ignited dozens of huge fires.

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Smoke from fires this week in the Dehcho and Wrigley
areas of the Northwest Territories

© NWT Dept of Environment and Natural Resources

In northern Quebec,more than a dozen fires are raging unabated, including one near the Cree community of Eastmain. It’s estimated that today that fire alone has spread over 300,000 hectares.

As the winds changed away from the community, the fire is now heading in the direction of a mine site which was shut down yesterday and its 800 workers evacuated.

Earlier this week, fire damaged power lines from northern Hydro sites causing blackouts in Montreal and elsewhere in southern Quebec.

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Smoke has been a frequent sight over western Labrador as
crews try to extinguish hot spots connected to forest
fires that prompted las weekend’s evacuation in Wabush

© CBC

Meanwhile in the Northwest Territories, dozens are fires are keeping fire crews and water bombers busy. Some 43 fires were burning this week around the Dehcho region and around Wrigley.

Rain was forecast, but officials say it would take sustained rain over a day or two to make a real difference.

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Aerial view of smoe of the hundreds of burned areas in
Labrador
© CBC

Earlier this week, smoke from dozens of fires in Labrador forced a temporary evacuation of the town of Wabush. Fires had been buring since June 23. This weekend, as crews battled the fires, rain helped to ease the situation enabling residents to return home

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