Record wildfire season in CanadaGetty
Canada on fire and with dozens of “live” and uncontrolled fires. This is the panorama of one of the coldest countries in the northern hemisphere and which in recent months has been devastated by a veritable epidemic of fires. Hundreds of kilometers apart, dozens of towns are surrounded by fires and the evacuation of these towns has been a challenge. According to statements by Mike Westwick In recent hours, a contingent of 120 soldiers has been deployed from the territorial fire department to facilitate air evacuations. The fires threaten homes, urban centers and the country’s highways. The authorities have requested the help of the army to try to control and put out the fires.
“We are in a crisis situation and our government is using all the tools at its disposal,” explained Territorial Environment Minister Shane Thompson, who stressed that this allows him to “access resources and deploy them.” “I am heartbroken to think of the people of the Northwest Territories fighting the devastating bushfires,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on the X network.
My heart breaks for the people of the Northwest Territories, who are dealing with devastating wildfires. On Saturday, we approved the territory’s request for federal assistance and @CanadianForces are mobilizing to provide support – we’ll continue to be here for you.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 15, 2023
Since early Monday morning, the territorial capital Yellowknife has been threatened by a fire 20 km from its urban center. The situation “is changing rapidly and the needs on the ground are changing rapidly,” the government said in a statement. It is not the only “live” fire ravaging Canada.
In British Columbia they have been experiencing a heat wave for weeks not seen since there was a temperature measurement, places where temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. Authorities have estimated that almost 170,000 people have been evacuated since the wildfires began in Canada.