Number of wildfires surges in British Columbia after weekend of lightning strikes
1 year, 5 months ago

Number of wildfires surges in British Columbia after weekend of lightning strikes

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Lightning strikes over the weekend triggered more than 100 new wildfires in British Columbia, raising the total above 300 and leading authorities to order on Monday a ban on campfires for most of the province. Officials warned of challenging conditions, with lightning storms forecast for most of the week and above-average temperatures throughout the central interior of the province. In announcing the campfire ban, Bowinin Ma, British Colunbia’s minister of emergency management, said the province expected ``continued extreme fire behaviour″ after 115 fires were sparked by lightning over the weekend. Last week, the Canadian Forest Service said wildfires raging across Canada had already broken records for total areas burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes.

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History of this topic

Canada wildfires spur evacuation orders, warnings: What you need to know
7 months, 1 week ago

Canada wildfires spur evacuation orders, warnings: What you need to know

Al Jazeera  

More than 130 wildfires are burning across Canada, federal tracker says, as massive blazes force thousands to evacuate. This week, residents of the small town of Fort Nelson, in northeastern British Columbia, were forced from their homes as a blaze grew “dramatically” in only a few days and was moving towards the community. Canada saw its most intense fire season …

A town in western Canada prepares for a possible 'last stand' as wildfires rage in British Columbia
7 months, 1 week ago

A town in western Canada prepares for a possible 'last stand' as wildfires rage in British Columbia

Hindustan Times  

FORT NELSON, British Columbia — An intense wildfire could reach a town in western Canada this week, fire experts and officials warned, based on forecasts of winds that have fueled the out-of-control blaze, which has forced the evacuation of thousands of people. A town in western Canada prepares for a possible 'last stand' as wildfires rage in British Columbia The …

A town in western Canada prepares for a possible ‘last stand’ as wildfires rage in British Columbia
7 months, 1 week ago

A town in western Canada prepares for a possible ‘last stand’ as wildfires rage in British Columbia

Associated Press  

FORT NELSON, British Columbia — An intense wildfire could reach a town in western Canada this week, fire experts and officials warned, based on forecasts of winds that have fueled the out-of-control blaze, which has forced the evacuation of thousands of people. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the wildfire was burning 2½ kilometers northwest of Fort Nelson. “It is …

Town prepares for possible ‘last stand’ as wildfires rage in western Canada
7 months, 1 week ago

Town prepares for possible ‘last stand’ as wildfires rage in western Canada

LA Times  

The wildfire burns Saturday near Fort Nelson, British Columbia, as the northern lights hover overhead. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze was burning 1.2 miles northwest of Fort Nelson. Fire crews and emergency workers were preparing for a “last stand” if the fire advances into the town, said Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality based …

Thousands evacuate as wildfire grows ‘dramatically’ in western Canada
7 months, 1 week ago

Thousands evacuate as wildfire grows ‘dramatically’ in western Canada

Al Jazeera  

Authorities say wind will push the Parker Lake Wildfire closer to the small community of Fort Nelson, British Columbia. In a video shared online late on Sunday, Cliff Chapman of the BC Wildfire Service said the Parker Lake Wildfire has exhibited “fast growth and high fire behaviour” since it began on Friday, west of the town of Fort Nelson. Back …

Wildfire in Canada's British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. Winds push smoke into Alberta
7 months, 1 week ago

Wildfire in Canada's British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. Winds push smoke into Alberta

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Canadian authorities are urging all …

Wildfire in Canada's British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. Winds push smoke into Alberta
7 months, 1 week ago

Wildfire in Canada's British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. Winds push smoke into Alberta

Hindustan Times  

CAIRO — Canadian authorities are urging all remaining residents in the northeastern part of the province of British Columbia to leave immediately, despite improving weather conditions, after thousands have already been evacuated due to a fast-growing wildfire. Wildfire in Canada's British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nation issued a joint statement …

Mapping the scale of Canada’s record wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago

Mapping the scale of Canada’s record wildfires

Al Jazeera  

Canada is battling more than 1,000 active fires, and nearly two-thirds of them are out of control. While Canada experiences fires every summer, this year’s blazes have scorched at least 15.3 million hectares of land, nearly 10 times more than 2022 and roughly the size of New York state. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, 1,036 active fires …

Canadian officials have eased wildfire evacuation orders in a scenic British Columbia region
1 year, 4 months ago

Canadian officials have eased wildfire evacuation orders in a scenic British Columbia region

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian firefighters have begun easing evacuation orders in a scenic region of British Columbia, with the prospect of better weather raising hopes for the battle to contain wildfires, authorities said Tuesday. Bowinn Ma, British Columbia’s minister of emergency management and climate readiness, said evacuation orders had been downgraded to alerts in parts of West Kelowna, Westbank …

Canada to deploy army to help fight wildfires in British Columbia
1 year, 4 months ago

Canada to deploy army to help fight wildfires in British Columbia

Al Jazeera  

PM Justin Trudeau says military to be sent to the fire-hit region with a state of emergency declared in British Columbia. Canada will deploy the military to tackle fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday, as the western province deals with nearly 400 fires that have led to evacuation orders for more than 35,000 people. …

Canada: 35,000 people under evacuation orders in British Columbia as wildfires intensify
1 year, 4 months ago

Canada: 35,000 people under evacuation orders in British Columbia as wildfires intensify

The Hindu  

Following the state of emergency declared by Canada's British Columbia province due to the wildfire, the evacuation order in the province has surged to 35,000 from a day earlier, reported Al Jazeera. Moreover, Western Canada authorities have implored tens of thousands of people to heed evacuation orders and warned of difficult days ahead as 'severe and fast-changing forest fires in …

As thousands flee homes across British Columbia from wildfires, chiefs in one region report progress
1 year, 4 months ago

As thousands flee homes across British Columbia from wildfires, chiefs in one region report progress

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — As tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders across British Columbia and firefighters battled raging wildfires throughout Canada on Sunday, fire chiefs in a region known as a summer destination for families said they’ve made some progress in the struggle. There’s “finally a bit of a glimmer of hope,” West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason …

British Columbia wildfires intensify: Authorities warn of difficult days ahead
1 year, 4 months ago

British Columbia wildfires intensify: Authorities warn of difficult days ahead

Live Mint  

KELOWNA, British Columbia: Forest fires in Canada's western province of British Columbia intensified further on Saturday, doubling the number of people under evacuation order to 35,000 from a day earlier, as authorities warned of difficult days ahead. The province declared a state of emergency on Friday, to access temporary authoritative powers to tackle fire-related risks, as out-of-control fires ripped through …

‘Grim situation’ in Canada’s British Columbia as wildfires intensify
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Grim situation’ in Canada’s British Columbia as wildfires intensify

Al Jazeera  

Authorities in western Canada have implored tens of thousands of people to heed evacuation orders and warned of difficult days ahead as “severe and fast-changing” forest fires in the province of British Columbia intensified further. “We are still in some critically dry conditions and are still expecting difficult days ahead,” said Jerrad Schroeder, deputy fire centre manager at the Kamloops …

Canada’s wildfires have burnt an area 16 times larger than normal
1 year, 4 months ago

Canada’s wildfires have burnt an area 16 times larger than normal

Hindustan Times  

“Blame Canada ”, read the front page of the New York Post, when smoke from wildfires in Quebec blanketed the east coast of the United States last week. What had previously been a problem in Canada—of enormous wildfires—quickly became one in the United States, when abnormal winds pushed plumes south of the border. That is greater than the total area …

After Maui, wildfire impacts thousands in Canada
1 year, 4 months ago

After Maui, wildfire impacts thousands in Canada

Hindustan Times  

After the dreadful disaster in Hawaii in the United States, another North American country Canada is facing the threat of wildfires. Hundreds of people started to be airlifted to safety from remote villages threatened by wildfires in Canada's far north overnight Monday to Tuesday after Yellowknife, the largest city in the region, declared an emergency. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE …

City empties as thousands flee wildfire burning near capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories
1 year, 4 months ago

City empties as thousands flee wildfire burning near capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Residents heeded warnings to evacuate the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories as a large wildfire burned just outside the city of 20,000 Friday, while firefighters battled a growing fire that set homes ablaze in a city in British Columbia. “It’s kind of like having a pint at the end of the world,” said Kieron Testart, who …

Residents flee blazes in Western Canada as record fire season continues
1 year, 4 months ago

Residents flee blazes in Western Canada as record fire season continues

Al Jazeera  

Firefighting crews are battling massive wildfires in parts of Western Canada, where thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate out of the path of the advancing flames. Authorities in the Northwest Territories issued a state of emergency this week as more than 230 wildfires burned across the sprawling territory, including a major fire that is approaching its capital and …

AP PHOTOS: Canada's wildfires blacken thousands of square miles, upend lives
1 year, 5 months ago

AP PHOTOS: Canada's wildfires blacken thousands of square miles, upend lives

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Canada's worst-ever wildfire season has …

Wildfires have burned a record amount of area in the Canadian province of British Columbia
1 year, 5 months ago

Wildfires have burned a record amount of area in the Canadian province of British Columbia

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Wildfires have already burned a record amount of area in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the situation will probably get worse due to more hot, dry weather, government officials said Tuesday. The BC Wildfire Service website said since April 1, 1,183 wildfires have burned 13986 square kilometers. Wildfire Service, said the province is just …

Wildfires in Canada have broken records for area burned, evacuations and cost, official says
1 year, 5 months ago

Wildfires in Canada have broken records for area burned, evacuations and cost, official says

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Wildfires raging across Canada have already broken records for total area burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes, and the fire season is only halfway finished, officials said Thursday. “It’s no understatement to say that the 2023 fire season is and will continue to be record …

Again With the Dang Canadian Wildfire Smoke?
1 year, 5 months ago

Again With the Dang Canadian Wildfire Smoke?

Slate  

Since June, smoke from hundreds of wildfires raging across Canada has been blowing into the United States, tanking air quality here—New York City earned the worst air quality ranking in the world, and that quickly was overtaken by Chicago and Detroit. Natural Resources Canada explained that this is due to “ongoing drought and long-range forecasts for warm temperatures.” Research suggests …

Wildfire smoke from Canada might be a problem ‘all summer’
1 year, 6 months ago

Wildfire smoke from Canada might be a problem ‘all summer’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As the number of wildfires continues to grow across Canada, public officials are warning that …

Explained | What is causing large-scale wildfires in Canada?
1 year, 6 months ago

Explained | What is causing large-scale wildfires in Canada?

The Hindu  

The story so far: New York City’s air quality is currently ranked among the worst in the world due to drifting smoke rising from wildfires in Canada. Although the simulated relative increase of the global total lightning flash rate is similar to the relative increase of the global LCC lightning flash rates, the trends are opposite in some regions including …

What started Canada’s wildfires and are they under control?
1 year, 6 months ago

What started Canada’s wildfires and are they under control?

Al Jazeera  

Canada is currently battling its most devastating wildfire season on record, with ripple effects reaching as far as Norway. Ellen Whitman, a research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, said there is also speculation that trees felled during Hurricane Fiona, which hit Atlantic Canada in September 2022, or killed by an infestation of forest pests may be providing more fuel …

Canadian province of Quebec looks for international support to fight wildfires
1 year, 6 months ago

Canadian province of Quebec looks for international support to fight wildfires

Associated Press  

MONTREAL — Quebec is looking internationally for support as it struggles to battle more than 160 forest fires during what federal officials say is shaping up to be among Canada’s worst fire seasons ever. With more than 480 wilderness firefighters on the ground, Quebec can fight around 30 fires, Quebec Premier François Legault told reporters Monday, adding that normally firefighters …

Wildfire in Canadian province contained, while another burns out of control
1 year, 6 months ago

Wildfire in Canadian province contained, while another burns out of control

Associated Press  

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — A wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes in Canada’s Atlantic Coast province of Nova Scotia is now contained, while a second wildfire remains out of control, officials said Sunday. Nova Scotia’s natural resources department said the Tantallon fire northwest of Halifax is now under control, meaning it is not expected to grow but …

Canada wildfires spread to new areas, prompting more evacuations
1 year, 6 months ago

Canada wildfires spread to new areas, prompting more evacuations

Al Jazeera  

About 10,000 people have been ordered to leave a city in Quebec, amid hundreds of fires burning across the country. Bill Blair, the country’s minister of public safety, has said the ferocity of this year’s early wildfire season in Canada has been “unprecedented”, with more than 1,826 fires burning 2.7 million hectares of land. Across Canada, more than 210 fires …

Canada facing ‘deeply concerning’ wildfire season: Official
1 year, 6 months ago

Canada facing ‘deeply concerning’ wildfire season: Official

Al Jazeera  

With 82 blazes burning out of control, Canada confronts a record early wildfire season that has scorched 2.7 million hectares. Canada is facing its most severe early wildfire season on record, with 211 wildfires burning and 82 classified as out of control, the country’s minister of public safety said. “Due to climate change, similar extreme weather events may continue to …

‘Unprecedented’ wildfires in Canada’s Nova Scotia still burning
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Unprecedented’ wildfires in Canada’s Nova Scotia still burning

Al Jazeera  

Wildfires that have already forced thousands in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia to evacuate continued to burn on Thursday, causing poor air quality hundreds of kilometres away as smoke drifted south across the United States border. Canada’s federal government had already “provided airlifts, aerial surveillance, crew comfort trailers, and food at the emergency shelters”, Sean Fraser, a cabinet …

Wildfires force thousands to flee, damage scores of homes in Canada’s Nova Scotia
1 year, 6 months ago

Wildfires force thousands to flee, damage scores of homes in Canada’s Nova Scotia

LA Times  

Thick plumes of smoke fill the sky over Halifax, Canada, as a wildfire engulfs a suburban community and forces residents to flee. “We’re in a very serious situation in this province, and we need to take the steps that we can to protect Nova Scotia,” he told a news conference via a video call from Shelburne, Nova Scotia, where the …

Out-of-control wildfires cause evacuations in western Canada
1 year, 7 months ago

Out-of-control wildfires cause evacuations in western Canada

Associated Press  

EDMONTON, Alberta — Fire crews battled wildfires threatening communities in western Canada on Sunday as cooler temperatures and a bit of rain brought some relief, but officials warned the reprieve came only in some areas. Two out-of-control wildfires in neighboring British Columbia also caused some people to leave their homes, and officials warned that they expected high winds to cause …

Canadian fire crews battle blazes in western province of Alberta
1 year, 7 months ago

Canadian fire crews battle blazes in western province of Alberta

Al Jazeera  

Favourable weather could help effort to contain more than 100 wildfires, Alberta officials say. Rain and cooler weather are expected to bring some relief to the western Canadian province of Alberta as fire crews battle more than 100 wildfires that have forced nearly 30,000 people from their homes. pic.twitter.com/YvdhRbWf3Q — Alberta Wildfire May 7, 2023 “People have called this season …

Canada’s BC declares state of emergency as wildfires surge
3 years, 5 months ago

Canada’s BC declares state of emergency as wildfires surge

Al Jazeera  

Nearly 300 wildfires are actively burning across western province of British Columbia, which saw record heat last month. The Canadian province of British Columbia has declared a state of emergency amid a surge in wildfires that have forced hundreds of people from their homes and could worsen in the coming days. BC was among several provinces in Western Canada that …

Evacuations ordered as wildfires rip through Canada’s west coast
3 years, 5 months ago

Evacuations ordered as wildfires rip through Canada’s west coast

Al Jazeera  

Dozens of huge wildfires in British Columbia come after Canadian province saw record-breaking heatwave. “Generally speaking, we’re three weeks ahead of our drying cycle,” Cliff Chapman, director of regional operations for the BC Wildfire Service, told reporters on Friday afternoon, as reported by CBC News. “It is not really comparable to seasons of the past just because of the heat …

Canada hunts for survivors of fire that destroyed small town
3 years, 5 months ago

Canada hunts for survivors of fire that destroyed small town

Associated Press  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Officials on Friday hunted for any missing residents of a British Columbia town destroyed by wildfire as the Canadian province’s chief coroner said reports suggest two people have died as a result of blaze. “We do know there are some people who are unaccounted for,” said Mike Farnworth, the province’s public safety minister, though he said …

Wildfires raging in western Canada are creating 'fire-breathing' thunderstorms
3 years, 5 months ago

Wildfires raging in western Canada are creating 'fire-breathing' thunderstorms

Daily Mail  

Raging wildfires in British Columbia are combining with record heat to create ferocious vertical 'fire clouds' that generate their own weather. The North American Lightning Detection Network reported that between 3pm Wednesday and 6am on Thursday, the clouds generated more than 710,000 lightning strikes in British Columbia and northwest Alberta, according to SFGate. Scroll down for video The ravaging smoke …

Wildfires raze 90% of Canadian village amid deadly Pacific Northwest 'heat dome'
3 years, 5 months ago

Wildfires raze 90% of Canadian village amid deadly Pacific Northwest 'heat dome'

Daily Mail  

Wildfires destroyed 90 percent of a town in Canada just days after it recorded the country's hottest temperature ever - 121 degrees Fahrenheit - amid a devastating heat wave ravaging the Pacific Northwest. Wildfires destroyed 90 percent of Lytton, British Columbia, just days after it recorded Canada's hottest temperature ever - 121 degrees Fahrenheit - amid a devastating heat wave …

California wildfires double in size as tens of thousands flee
4 years, 4 months ago

California wildfires double in size as tens of thousands flee

Al Jazeera  

Nearly 11,000 lightning strikes, causing fires, were documented this week in the most populous US state. Dozens of lightning-sparked California wildfires grew rapidly on Thursday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate homes in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States. California has been hit by its worst lightning storms in nearly two decades, with around 11,000 …

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