Wildfires in Western Canada have been prevailing all over and evolving rapidly, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
On Saturday, the officials in Western Canada’s British Columbia pleaded with the residents to evacuate the area as the “rapidly evolving” wildfires pose a great threat over large parts of the Scenic Okanagan Valley, with Kelowna included.
According to Browinn Ma, the province’s minister of emergency management, the popular boating and hiking destinations are highly affected.
Kelowna, a city with an estimated population of 150,000, has been choked with thick smoke after getting caught by wildfire. Where around 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate, 36,000 were set on alert to get ready to flee.
Government data said there were 385 active wildfires in British Columbia alone by Saturday night.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to provide federal resources after having a discussion with British Columbia Premier David Eby in this matter.
Meanwhile, Yellowknife, the regional capital of the neighbouring Northwest Territories, also got evacuated.
Though overnight rain brought a bit of relief to Yellowknife on Saturday, Shane Thompson, the environment minister of the Northwest Territories, said “a little rain does not mean it’s safe to come back home.”
“Though the surface may not show fire, it’s still active, and it’s huge,” he said.
This summer, Canada is estimated to have more than 5,700 wildfires. The smoke of which is also affecting some parts of America. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, more than 137,000 square kilometers are covered by the wildfire.