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.
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
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.
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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