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Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Thousands evacuated from Canada wildfires
More than 25,000 residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US, according to officials. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1,300 in Alberta. About 8,000 people in Saskatchewan had been relocated as leaders there warned the number could climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,' Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned Sunday. 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.' Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. 'We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you,' Moe said in a post on social media. He said ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. 'The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north,' Moe said at a Saturday news conference. In Manitoba, more than 5,000 of those evacuated are from Flin Flon, located nearly 645 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg. In northern Manitoba, fire knocked out power to the community of Cranberry Portage, forcing a mandatory evacuation order Saturday for about 600 residents. The fire menacing Flin Flon began a week ago near Creighton, Saskatchewan, and quickly jumped the boundary into Manitoba. Crews have struggled to contain it. Water bombers have been intermittently grounded due to heavy smoke and a drone incursion. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached 'unhealthy' levels Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. 'We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the US over the next week,' said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the US. Separately, a fire in the US border state of Idaho burned at least 40 hectares as of Sunday, prompting road closures and some evacuations, according to the Idaho Department of Lands. The agency said in a news release that at least one structure was burned, but did not provide additional details about the damage. Strong gusty winds of 24 to 32 kilometers per hour and steep terrain were making it difficult for firefighters battling the fire, which ignited Saturday. Evacuation centers have opened across Manitoba for those fleeing the fires, one as far south as Winkler, 20 km from the US border. Winnipeg opened up public buildings for evacuees as it deals with hotels already crammed with other fire refugees, vacationers, business people and conventiongoers. Manitoba's Indigenous leaders said Saturday at a news conference that hotel rooms in the cities where evacuees are arriving are full, and they called on the government to direct hotel owners to give evacuees priority. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said it was one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. 'It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on floors. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside, and right now we just need people to come together. People are tired,' Wilson said at a news conference. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. (AP)
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Over 25,000 residents evacuated from 3 provinces over wildfire in Canada
Active wildfires remained active in parts of Canada and the US on Sunday, and affected air quality, prompting the evacuation of over 25,000 residents in three provinces, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. About 8,000 residents in Saskatchewan were shifted to safer locations, and leaders said more people could be relocated amid the growing wildfire situation. Air quality also worsened in Canada and some US states along the border, and the wildfire smoke also affected visibility. Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency on Sunday issued a warning and said, "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. As smoke level increases, health risks increase." Firefighters, emergency crews and air support from other provinces and US states, including Oregon, Alaska, and Arizona, were being sent to fight the blaze, said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. In a social media post, Moe said, "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," he added. Moe attributed the growing fires to the current hot and dry weather in the region, saying it also increases the threat to communities living there. 'The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north,' he said during a press conference. Over 5,000 people were evacuated from Manitoba's Flin Flon, situated nearly 645 kilometers (400 miles) northwest of the capital of Winnipeg. The blaze also knocked out the power supply to the community of Cranberry Portage in northern Manitoba, forcing a mandatory evacuation order on Saturday. The blaze chaos in Flin Flon started a week ago near Saskatchewan's Creighton region, and quickly crossed the boundary into Manitoba. Firefighting crews have been struggling to contain the fire. Meanwhile, the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. Evacuation centres have also been opened in Manitoba for those seeking shelter and fleeing the fire. Additionally, Winnipeg opened public buildings for evacuees as hotels were already filled with fire refugees, vacationers, business people and convention attendees. Manitoba's Indigenous leaders on Saturday said that hotel rooms in the cities were full, calling on the government to direct hotel owners to prioritise evacuees. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson termed it to be one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. 'It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on the floor. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside, and right now, we just need people to come together. People are tired,' Wilson. The US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page showed that air quality levels reached the "unhealthy" category on Sunday in some parts of the US, North Dakota, and small swaths in Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said, "We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the U.S. over the next week." A fire in the US border state of Idaho also burned at least 100 acres of land, prompting the closure of roads and evacuations. The Idaho Department of Lands said that at least one structure was burned in the incident, but did not provide any further details. May to September is wildfire season in Canada, and the worst of it ever was seen in 2023. Much of North America choked on the smoke-infused air.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Thousands evacuated as Canadian wildfires rage
More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Climate
- West Australian
Thousands evacuated as Canadian wildfires rage
More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Thousands evacuated as Canadian wildfires rage
More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
