Some 25,000 Canadians have been forced to flee their homes due to 103 wildfires in the western province of Alberta, where the local government has declared a state of emergency. Thousands more have been warned to be ready to leave their homes at any time.
"We have declared a state of emergency" in the province to ensure "the safety, health and well-being of the Albertans," Premier Danielle Smith said at a news conference after a meeting of her government's emergency management committee.
Reuters
Fires Alberta Canada
The Canadian province, one of the largest oil-producing regions, "has experienced a dry and hot spring and, with so much firewood, it only takes a few sparks to ignite truly frightening wildfires," she noted. "These conditions have led to the unprecedented situation that our province is facing today." Smith said about 122,000 hectares of land have burned so far.