Candle Lake, Sask. prepares for possible wildfire evacuation
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Globe and Mail
a minute ago
- Globe and Mail
Spain deploys 500 more troops to fight wildfires as heatwave drags on
Spain is deploying a further 500 soldiers to battle wildfires that have torn through parched woodland during a prolonged spell of scorching weather, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Sunday. The decision to add to the more than 1,400 troops already on wildfire duty came as authorities struggled to contain forest blazes, especially in the northwestern Galicia region, and awaited the arrival of promised aircraft reinforcements from other European countries. Firefighters are tackling 12 major wildfires in Galicia, all of them near the city of Ourense, the head of the Galician regional government Alfonso Rueda told a press conference with Sánchez. 'Homes are still under threat so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations,' Rueda said. Galicia has been battling the spreading flames for more than a week. Temperatures in Spain could reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas on Sunday, the Spanish national weather agency AEMET said. On Saturday, the maximum temperature was 44.7 degrees Celsius (112.46 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southern city of Cordoba, it said. 'This Sunday, when extraordinarily high temperatures are expected, the danger of wildfires is extreme in most of the country,' AEMET said on the social platform X. The fires in Spain this year have burned 158,000 hectares (390,000 acres), according to the European Union's European Forest Fire Information System. That is an area roughly as big as metropolitan London. Heat waves expected to drag on as Spain, Portugal, and Greece battle wildfires Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists say that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness in parts of Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Spain was expecting the arrival of two Dutch water-dumping planes that were to join aircraft from France and Italy already helping Spanish authorities under a European cooperation agreement. Firefighters from other countries are also expected to arrive in the region in coming days, Spain's Civil Protection Agency chief Virginia Barcones told public broadcaster RTVE. National rail operator Renfe said it suspended Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services scheduled for Sunday due to the fires. Galician authorities advised people to wear face masks and limit their time spent outdoors to avoid inhaling smoke and ash. Wildfires across southern Europe force evacuations and kill firefighters Portugal is set for cooler weather in coming days after a spate of severe woodland fires. A national state of alert due to wildfires was enacted Aug. 2 and was due to end Sunday, a day before two Swedish firefighting planes were to arrive. As in Spain, Portugal's resources have been stretched. On Sunday, more than 4,000 firefighters and more than 1,300 vehicles were deployed, as well as 17 aircraft, the country's Civil Protection Agency said. The scorched area of forest in Portugal so far this year is 17 times higher than in 2024, at around 139,000 hectares, according to preliminary calculations by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, a government body. Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania have also requested help from the EU's firefighting force in recent days to deal with forest fires. The force has already been activated as many times this year as in all of last year's summer fire season. U.S. Republicans demand that Canada deal with wildfires – but won't acknowledge climate change In Turkey, where recent wildfires have killed 19 people, parts of the historic region that includes memorials to World War I's Gallipoli campaign were evacuated Sunday as blazes threatened homes in the country's northwest. Six villages were evacuated as a precautionary measure, the governor of Canakkale province, Omer Toraman, said. Some 1,300 firefighting personnel backed by 30 aircraft were battling the blaze, according to the General Directorate of Forestry. A wildfire on the peninsula to the north of the Dardanelles Strait led to the closure of visitor facilities at Gallipoli, the site's management said. The area is dotted with cemeteries, memorials and other remnants of battles waged between Ottoman and Allied troops in 1915. Turkey has been struck by hundreds of fires since late June, fueled by record-breaking temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
New Brunswick reporting 34 active wildfires; seven out of control
A fire burns in the Miramichi-area of New Brunswick on Aug. 12, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / New Brunswick Government) The number of active wildfires in New Brunswick has decreased to 34 Sunday. As of 11:15 a.m., the province says 15 of the 37 fires are being patrolled, two are under control, five are contained, right are being monitored, and the following seven are out of control: 208 - Old Field Road 250 - Chief's 273 – Lovalls Lake 256- Beaver Lake Stream 265 – Bear Landing 269 - Moose Brook 2 281 No structures have been lost and there have been no serious injuries, though about seven firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion. Oldfield Road fire As of 11:15 a.m., the Oldfield Road fire in the Miramichi area is estimated at 1,402 hectares. The fire first started on Aug. 6. Wildfire status When wildfires burn the following terms are used to describe their status: out of control – still spreading and not contained being monitored – a known, out of control fire that is not immediately threatening life or infrastructure, monitored by aircraft or satellite with no resources currently assigned contained – surrounded by barriers, such as lakes, roads, and fire lines, but still burning and could spread under control – surrounded and stable; low activity, minimal risk of escape being patrolled – contained with little to no fire activity; crews monitoring hotspots out – fully extinguished; no smoke for at least 24 hours fire of note – a fire requiring significant resources or threatening homes or critical infrastructure Evacuations As of Sunday morning, the evacuation advisory for people in Lavillette has been lifted. Residents are advised to review their evacuation plans and make sure their emergency preparedness kits are ready. The kit should include necessities for at least 72 hours, such as: water food flashlight radio batteries first aid masks (for smoke filtration) prescription medications pet food 'Wildfires can move quickly, and not everyone may be able to get information or leave safely on their own. During an evacuation, take a moment to check on those around you,' reads a news release from the government. 'Lend a hand where you can, and have your own plan ready to go.' Alert system The City of Miramichi is asking residents to register for Voyent Alerts to stay informed during the wildfire. Voyent Alert is a 'community communication and notification system designed to provide Miramichi residents with timely, location-based alerts for both critical emergencies and everyday updates,' according to the website. Residents can register online. Advisory vs alert The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization wants to make sure residents understand the difference between two different terms – evacuation advisory and evacuation alert. 'Evacuation advisory - Be ready to leave on short notice. Pack essentials (ID, medication, pets, emergency kit) and be prepared to go quickly if conditions change,' reads a post on social media from the organization. 'Evacuation alert - Leave immediately. This means the wildfire poses an imminent risk. Follow the instructions in the Alert Ready notification and go to the designated safe location. Staying informed helps you act quickly and safely.' Water conservation The City of Miramichi is urging residents to conserve water by: avoiding washing vehicles, watering lawns, or filling pools using appliances only with full loads taking short showers installing low-flow faucets where possible repairing plumbing leaks promptly Air Quality Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for the Miramichi area as smoke from the wildfire reduces local air quality. Air quality issues can cause eye or throat irritation and shortness of breath. The city says to contact a physician or Tele-Care 811 is symptoms worsen and to call 911 if you are in severe distress. Vulnerable groups include: infants children pregnant women older adults smokers people with chronic heart/lung disease Wildlife The province is warning residents that the fires are pushing wildlife into unfamiliar areas. 'For your own protection, do not approach or feed wild animals. Drive cautiously near fire zones to avoid collisions, especially with moose, deer, and bears,' reads a social media post by the province. If large or dangerous wildlife is spotted near homes or roads the province asks residents to call DNR at 1-833-301-0334. Woods and fire bans in effect A provincewide burn ban is in effect and all Crown lands are closed. Residents are not allowed to hike, camp, fish or use vehicles in the woods at this time, and all trail systems through the woods are off-limits. Camping is only allowed in official campgrounds, but the province is asking people to reconsider their camping plans until the forest fire risk decreases. Private property owners are being encouraged to follow the same restrictions. Forestry operations such as harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning, are also prohibited. 'This is for your safety, the safety of your communities and the safety of firefighters putting their lives on the line,' said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin during Monday's news conference. 'Please remain outside the forests, we can't repeat it enough.' In Miramichi, the city has closed the following trails: French Fort Cove Millbank Nature Trails Morrison Cove Trails The province is also urging residents to stay away from the wildfires and give the firefighters space to do their jobs. 'Now is not the time for fire tourism,' said New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt. 'There have been people who have wanted to get that great picture for social media, but we need to keep our roads and our emergency areas as clear as possible.' -With files from CTV News Atlantic's Melanie Price For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Wildfire that forced hundreds to flee on Vancouver Island now under control
Social Sharing A wildfire burning northwest of Nanaimo that had forced hundreds to flee is now under control, while crews are making progress on another blaze southwest of that city. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) announced Saturday evening that crews made significant progress in fighting the Wesley Ridge wildfire burning on the north banks of Cameron Lake, about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo in southeast Vancouver Island. Firefighters are still in the area patrolling and extinguishing hot spots, according to the BCWS. In total, the fire burned nearly six square kilometres of land and was previously listed as being held. At its peak, nearly 400 properties were under evacuation order due to the fire, and hundreds more were on evacuation alert, which meant residents had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Mount Underwood fire still burning As of 7:20 a.m. PT on Sunday, there are 75 wildfires currently burning in British Columbia, four of which are out of control. One of those is the Mount Underwood fire burning just south of Port Alberni, B.C., which is further south of the Wesley Ridge blaze. The Mount Underwood fire grew aggressively after it was first detected last Monday, and currently covers an area of 36 square kilometres, burning around eight kilometres south of Port Alberni. That community has been on edge since the fire first started, but officials said Saturday that the fire received more than 30 millimetres of rain on Friday, and fire activity had been reduced as a result. Evacuation orders and alerts are still in place related to the fire, including the order for the China Creek campground and the alert for parts of the Cameron Heights neighbourhood on the southern edge of the City of Port Alberni. The fire has cut off access to the remote community of Bamfield south of Port Alberni, as well as knocked out power to 500 B.C. Hydro customers in the area. On Saturday, the utility said it began work to restore power, but said full repairs could take up to two weeks. The provincial power provider said the work will include replacing 56 power poles and 70 spans of power line – roughly 20 kilometres in total.
