Canada Deploys Armed Forces to Tackle Wildfires in British Columbia
Aug 20 (Reuters) – In response to fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia, Canada is sending armed forces to assist in firefighting efforts, announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday. The western province is currently facing tinder-dry conditions and strong winds, which have led to the evacuation orders of over 35,000 people.
Late on Friday, the province declared a state of emergency, granting officials additional powers to address the fire risks. By Saturday, more than 35,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with an additional 30,000 under evacuation alerts.
The McDougall Creek fire, located around Kelowna, a city approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) east of Vancouver, has been a focal point. However, other blazes, exacerbated by severe drought, have also been reported closer to the U.S. border and in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Ministers and government officials have urged residents in evacuation zones to take immediate action for their own safety and that of the firefighters.
To free up accommodation for evacuees and firefighters, British Columbia Premier David Eby implemented a ban on non-essential travel on Saturday. Authorities have also urged people to avoid traveling to fire zones and operating drones, as these activities can hinder the work of firefighters.
The total number of buildings destroyed has not yet been estimated by officials.
Trudeau confirmed in a tweet that the federal government has agreed to provide assistance following a request from the B.C. government.
While forest fires are not uncommon in Canada, the severity of this year’s wildfire season, with the spread of blazes and disruptions, has underscored the gravity of the situation. Local resources have been depleted, leading to the involvement of federal government assistance and support from 13 countries. Tragically, at least four firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The wildfires have already scorched approximately 140,000 square kilometers (54,054 square miles) of land nationwide, an area roughly the size of New York state. The smoky haze 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.
In a separate incident, a wildfire burning out of control in Yellowknife, the capital city of Northwest Territories, has prompted the evacuation of nearly all of its 20,000 residents. However, officials have stated that the fire is not expected to reach the city limits by the end of the weekend, as rain and cooler temperatures have helped slow its progress.
Krista Flesjer, who evacuated from Yellowknife with her dogs, described the journey as challenging, expressing concern for the survival of her two-year-old house.
In British Columbia, the TransCanada highway has been closed near Chase, approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, as well as between Hope, 150 kilometers east of Vancouver, and the village of Lytton. This highway serves as the main east-west route for thousands of motorists and truckers heading to Vancouver, the country’s busiest port.
Kip Lumquist, an employee at a gift shop in Craigellachie, a tourist spot along the highway, witnessed significant devastation over the past week. She described the situation as “crazy,” with visibility reduced to almost nothing for two and a half days. Lumquist added, “It’s devastating to the community.”
Reporting by Denny Thomas; Editing by Kim Coghill and Mark Porter
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