Thousands Evacuated in Canada as Wildfires Rage
Officials in Canada stated on July 13 that around 9,000 people in the northeast of the country have been forced to evacuate due to wildfires.
Quoting local firefighter Jeff Motty, Agence France-Presse reported that residents of Labrador City and Wabush in Newfoundland and Labrador provinces have been ordered to leave their homes.
Motty stated, “We have found severe wildfires in the area. The fire is spreading about 50 meters every minute.”
Photos circulating on social media show the sky obscured by thick smoke, with long lines of cars waiting at gas stations to refuel.
Due to the intensity of the fires, aircraft are unable to be used for water bombing to extinguish the flames, according to Motty.
Federal authorities mentioned on July 12 that weather conditions since the start of summer have helped in controlling wildfires, but the country is entering the peak wildfire season.
Canada is currently battling 575 wildfires, with over 400 of them considered to be out of control. In recent days, several wildfires have erupted, particularly in the western regions of the country experiencing heatwaves.
(Source: Central News Agency)