(Al Jazeera Media Network) Alberta has announced a state of emergency as wildfires flare, forcing 25,000 people to flee their homes in what the Canadian province’s Premier Danielle Smith said was an “unprecedented” crisis.
Thousands more have been told to be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice, as the number of fires – fanned by strong winds – jumped to 110.
One-third of the blazes were listed as out of control.
“We’ve declared a provincial state of emergency to protect the safety, health, and welfare of Albertans,” Smith told a news conference on Saturday after a meeting of her government’s emergency management committee.
Earlier, she said the province – one of the world’s largest oil-producing regions – “has been experiencing a hot, dry spring, and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires.”
“These conditions have resulted in the unprecedented situation our province is facing today,” she said.
According to Smith, more than 20 communities have been evacuated and at least 122,000 hectares have burned so far.
The state of emergency declaration gives the government of Alberta “greater powers to respond to extreme situations,” she said, including mobilizing additional resources and unlocking emergency funds.
Amid the buildup to a May 29 provincial election, almost all of Alberta and much of neighbouring Saskatchewan, as well as a large swath of the Northwest Territories face extreme fire risks, according to a federal government fire-danger map.
Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair tweeted that Ottawa stood ready to provide federal assistance if needed.
Oil-sands facilities closely monitored the dangers, but none reported production disruptions.
Drayton Valley, with 7,000 residents – about 140 km west of provincial capital Edmonton – was among the communities evacuated as firefighters battled an out-of-control blaze.
Some 550 km north of Edmonton, a severe fire consumed 20 homes, a general store, and a police station in the community of Fox Lake.
Residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter.
In the town of Edson, which has a population of more than 8,000, residents have also been ordered to “evacuate immediately.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/7/canadas-alberta-announces-state-of-emergency-over-wildfires
