Canada Sends Armed Forces to Tackle Wildfires in British Columbia
REVELSTOKE, British Columbia – Canada is deploying armed forces to combat the fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Sunday. The western province is currently dealing with flames that have forced over 35,000 people to evacuate their homes.
In response to the escalating situation, British Columbia has declared a state of emergency and implemented a ban on non-essential travel to make accommodations available for evacuees and firefighters. Authorities have also urged drone operators and individuals capturing images of the fires to stay away from rescue workers.
Despite the challenges faced over the past four days, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund expressed some optimism. He noted that conditions have improved, allowing firefighters to actively combat the flames threatening the town of 150,000. Brolund stated, ”Things are looking better. We are finally feeling like we are moving forward rather than moving backwards, and that’s a great feeling…” However, he cautioned that difficult days still lie ahead in containing the McDougall Creek fire.
While forest fires are not uncommon in Canada, the severity and extent of the current blazes highlight the country’s worst wildfire season to date. Some experts attribute this to climate change.
In addition to the fires in British Columbia, other blazes exacerbated by severe drought have been reported closer to the U.S. border and in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Firefighters in Washington state are currently battling two major fires, the Gray Fire and the Oregon Road Fire, which have already destroyed over 100 structures and scorched more than 20,000 acres of forest land.
Canadian government officials have urged residents in evacuation order zones to leave immediately to save their lives and prevent firefighters from risking their lives to save them. The total number of buildings destroyed has not yet been estimated, but videos and photos on social media depict significant destruction to structures, vehicles, and large trees.
Fortunately, the Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain pipeline and its expansion project, which passes through the interiors of British Columbia, remain unaffected by the fires. A company spokesperson confirmed that the underground pipelines are protected from fire by the soil and the constant movement of liquid within them.
The wildfires have strained local resources and prompted assistance from the federal government and 13 other countries. Tragically, at least four firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Nationwide, approximately 140,000 square km (54,054 square miles) of land, equivalent to the size of New York state, have already been scorched. The smoky haze from the fires has extended as far as the U.S. East Coast. Government officials anticipate that the fire season could extend into autumn due to widespread drought-like conditions.
Since 2009, Canada has been allocating more funds to fighting and suppressing wildfires than to maintaining its firefighting personnel and program.
Meanwhile, approximately 2,000 km to the north, a wildfire in Yellowknife, the capital city of Northwest Territories, has been burning out of control. Evacuations of almost all 20,000 residents were triggered last week. However, officials have stated that the fire is not expected to reach the city limits by the end of the weekend, thanks to some rain and cooler temperatures that have slowed its progress.
Residents who have evacuated from Yellowknife expressed their concerns about the safety of their homes. Krista Flesjer, who left the city with her dogs, described the journey as rough and feared getting caught in the fires that were crossing the road. She anxiously awaits news about the fate of her two-year-old house.
In British Columbia, the TransCanada highway near Chase, approximately 400 km northeast of Vancouver, has been closed. This major east-west artery is heavily used by motorists and truckers heading to Vancouver, the busiest port in the country.
Kip Lumquist, who works at a gift shop in Craigellachie, a tourist spot along the highway, witnessed the devastation caused by the fires over the past week. She described the situation as “crazy,” with visibility reduced to almost nothing for two and a half days. Lumquist shared her shock at seeing her white vehicle covered in black ash, emphasizing the devastating impact on the community.
The situation remains challenging, but with the deployment of armed forces and ongoing firefighting efforts, authorities are working tirelessly to bring the wildfires under control.
Reporting by Nia Williams; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, and Lisa Shumaker
How has climate change contributed to the severity and extent of the wildfires in British Columbia?
Has been facing its worst wildfire season to date, with fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia forcing over 35,000 people to evacuate their homes. In response to the escalating situation, Canada is deploying armed forces to combat the fires. The province has declared a state of emergency and implemented a ban on non-essential travel to accommodate evacuees and firefighters. Authorities have also urged drone operators and individuals capturing images of the fires to stay away from rescue workers. While conditions have improved in some areas, firefighters are still facing challenges in containing the fires. The severity and extent of the blazes are attributed by experts to climate change. In addition to British Columbia, wildfires have been reported closer to the U.S. border and in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, with firefighters battling major fires in Washington state. Canadian government officials have urged residents in evacuation order zones to leave immediately to save their lives and prevent firefighters from risking their lives to save them. The fires have caused significant destruction, but fortunately, the Trans Mountain pipeline and its expansion project remain unaffected. The wildfires have strained local resources and prompted assistance from the federal government and 13 other countries. At least four firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty. The fires have already scorched approximately 140,000 square km of land, with the smoke reaching as far as the U.S. East Coast. Government officials anticipate that the fire season could extend into autumn due to widespread drought-like conditions.
I’m glad to see the armed forces stepping in to help protect the communities affected by the wildfires. Stay safe, everyone.