The first major wildfire of the season is wreaking havoc across Western Canada, with firefighters battling to contain the fast-spreading blaze. In British Columbia, authorities have evacuated a town, while residents of an oil hub in Alberta have been advised to prepare to leave.
The wildfire in Alberta, located southwest of Fort McMurray, has spread across nearly 2,000 hectares of land, doubling in size from earlier reports. In British Columbia, thousands of residents have been asked to evacuate as the blaze continues to grow.
Mayor Rob Fraser of Northern Rockies Regional Municipality stated in a television interview that most residents in and around Fort Nelson have already been evacuated. The fire was reportedly started by a fallen tree hitting a power line during strong winds.
Firefighting efforts on Saturday involved five crews of wildland firefighters, nine helicopters, and airtankers. Cooler temperatures in the evening were expected to help slow the wildfire’s progress. Operations continued into the night with the use of night vision helicopters and heavy equipment.
Evacuation alerts have been issued for several communities, including Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Rickards Landing Industrial Park. While there is currently no immediate risk, residents are being urged to be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.
The federal government has warned of another potentially “catastrophic” wildfire season, with higher-than-normal temperatures forecasted across much of the country. The warm winter and ongoing drought have raised concerns about the potential for more devastating fires in the coming months.