The Canadian province of Alberta (Western) declared a state of emergency on Saturday after around 100 forest fires broke out there and drove some 25,000 residents from their homes, an "unprecedented"
situation
. , announced the premier of the province.
Authorities have asked thousands more to be ready to leave at any time.
A total of 110 fires, fanned by strong winds, have been recorded, a third of which are out of control.
“
We have declared a provincial state of emergency to preserve the safety, health and well-being of Albertans
,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a press conference.
A column of smoke rises from the wildfire near Fox Creek, Alberta, Canada May 5, 2023. ALBERTA WILDFIRE / REUTERS
Read alsoCanada to the rescue of Alberta oil
This Canadian province, one of the largest oil producers in the world, "
had a hot and dry spring and with so many kindlings, it only takes a few sparks to start some really scary fires
," Alberta said earlier. Danielle Smith.
All of these factors together "
have resulted in the unprecedented situation our province faces today
."
Extreme risk of fires
About 122,000 hectares have burned, she said, and 20 localities have been evacuated.
The state of emergency gives the provincial government “
increased powers to respond to extreme situations
,” said Alberta Danielle Smith, including the mobilization of additional resources and the release of emergency funds.
On Twitter, the Premier of Alberta paid tribute to the “
brave men and women serving on the front lines fighting these wildfires.
[...] We are proud of you
”.
Alberta - in the midst of an election - and a significant area of the neighboring province of Saskatchewan, as well as a large part of the Northwest Territories are currently facing an extreme risk of fires, according to a map from the federal government. .
Read alsoCanada: politicians parade in pink pumps, the scene divides
Drayton Valley, a town of 7,000 people in Alberta about 140 kilometers west of Edmonton, is among the evacuated communities.
In Fox Lake, northern Alberta, a massive fire destroyed 20 homes, a store and a police station.
Residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter.
