The western Canadian province of British Columbia found itself in a state of emergency order early Saturday, following the evacuation of most residents of Yellowknife, a city farther north, due to a dangerous wildfire. The fire near Yellowknife was predicted to reach the city limits by the weekend, while other blazes threatened the larger city of Kelowna in British Columbia. Officials declared a state of emergency, allowing for travel restrictions and emergency measures to be implemented. As of noon on Friday, it was unclear how many Yellowknife residents had obeyed the evacuation order, but most stores were closed and the hospital was offering only emergency care after patients were transported elsewhere. In Kelowna, homes on the outskirts were burning, with evacuations underway. This year’s wildfire season has been the worst in British Columbia, with record-breaking numbers of fires burning across the country. The fires in Canada have contributed to the global image of the country as an epicenter of wildfires, with the record heat being attributed, in part, to climate change. The mayor of Yellowknife reported that over 5,100 vehicles and 3,500 people had left the city in response to the evacuation order. Those who chose to remain were warned that all services and shops had closed and that the city was anticipated to be covered in thick smoke. Efforts were underway to protect Yellowknife from the fire, including the creation of a buffer zone and the utilization of sprinklers and waterbombers. Canadian Armed Forces were also providing assistance in creating fire breaks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the evacuees, emphasizing the strength of community in the face of adversity. In British Columbia, a fire that began in mid-August reached a residential neighborhood in West Kelowna, with significant structural loss reported. Fire officials noted that Thursday night was catastrophic, with firefighters facing extreme conditions and even some police officers being trapped by the fire. The strong winds worsened the situation, making it difficult to control the fire. As of Friday afternoon, approximately 4,500 people were under evacuation orders, with an additional 23,500 people ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The government expressed frustration with Meta’s decision to block news from users’ Facebook feeds, as it hindered residents’ ability to stay informed about the evacuation. Despite the challenges, reputable information sources were made available to residents through an emergency service. The air quality was expected to worsen in Yellowknife over the weekend, with no relief in sight.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
