Evacuation of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: Over 200 ‘Unprecedented’ Wildfires Overwhelm Canadian Capital

Canada’s Northwest Territories Face Evacuations Due to Wildfires

Massive Evacuation Efforts Underway

Residents in Canada’s Northwest Territories are urgently evacuating as over 200 wildfires rage across the region. The capital city of Yellowknife and several other communities have been ordered to evacuate due to the approaching fires. With more than 1,000 fires burning across Canada, this is the country’s worst fire season on record. The smoke from the fires has even reached the US, impacting air quality.

Government Response and Support

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has met with senior government officials and ministers to discuss the ongoing fires and their potential impact on infrastructure. The Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force are assisting with firefighting and airlifting efforts in the Northwest Territories, deploying planes and helicopters to support regional emergency crews.

Evacuation Challenges

Over 1,000 people were flown out of Yellowknife on emergency flights, with additional seats available for Friday. However, some faced long waits in line, only to be told they would need to try again the next day. Officials are encouraging people to leave by car if possible and carpool to reduce traffic. However, driving conditions have been hazardous due to thick smoke and flames along the roadways.

British Columbia Fires

In British Columbia, more than 360 active fires are currently burning – the highest number in any Canadian province. The region is bracing for challenging fire conditions due to strong winds and dry lightning, exacerbated by existing drought conditions. Lightning has been the primary cause of new fires, leading to numerous evacuation orders across the province.

Video footage captured by a resident shows the devastating impact of the fires in British Columbia. As the McDougall Creek fire advanced, residents of around 4,800 properties were forced to evacuate, witnessing the fire engulfing the surrounding hills.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-18 08:14:00