Firefighters in western Canada battling wildfires received aid from reinforcements and milder weather on Saturday. This comes after the nation’s worst fire season on record, which led to the destruction of structures, heavily polluted air due to smoke, and evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents. Although some progress was made in containing the flames near Yellowknife and Kelowna, firefighters remain cautious as dry and windy weather is forecasted for the coming days. The capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, has been nearly deserted since the majority of its 20,000 residents evacuated after an order was issued. Caravans of cars flooded the main highway, and those unable to leave lined up for emergency flights. The last 39 hospital patients were flown out on a Canadian Forces plane. The severity of the situation prompted officials to emphasize that it is not yet safe for residents to return. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to control the fires. Air tankers dropped water and fire retardant to keep the flames at bay in Yellowknife. A 10-kilometer fire line was dug, and firefighters utilized 20 kilometers of hose along with numerous pumps. The record number of wildfires in Canada this year has caused smoke pollution in parts of the United States as well. Over 5,700 fires have been reported, burning over 137,000 square kilometers of land across the country. The entire province of British Columbia is currently under a state of emergency. Approximately 35,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and another 30,000 are under evacuation alert. Premier David Eby described the situation as “grim” and urged residents to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Non-essential travel to fire-affected areas has been restricted to free up accommodations for those who have been displaced. As the fires continue to burn, air quality in the region is also a growing concern. Smoke and haze from British Columbia have reached the Seattle area, resulting in a warning from the National Weather Service that air quality may reach unhealthy levels. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who met with evacuees in Edmonton, expressed support for those affected by the wildfires, praising the efforts of firefighters, police, the military, and the Red Cross. Canadians were commended for their resilience in the face of adversity.
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