Wildfires force more evacuations in Western Canada
Wildfires force more evacuations in Western Canada
17 July 2014
published by www.torontosun.com
Canada — Smoke from nearby forest fires is choking up Yellowknife, but officials there say the city isn’t at risk just yet.
Part of a highway leading into the city was shut down Tuesday because of heavy smoke. Environment Canada warned residents of “widespread smoke” in the city.
There are currently 146 fires in the Northwest Territories as hot and dry conditions have led to one of the worst forest fire seasons in years. In total, the territory has seen 205 fires which have scorched 855,597 hectares this year.
A couple of wet days and cooler temperatures into next week may help crews fight the fires.
Just south, however, residents have been ordered out of several fire-threatened areas of British Columbia and Alberta.
A state of local emergency and an evacuation order was issued overnight Tuesday for residents of the MD of Greenview, southwest of Grande Prairie, Alta.
It applies to areas south of the Wapiti River, west of Nose Creek and the Two Lakes Road and north of Township 61. So far, that’s only affected six people living in the remote area.
Residents were told to leave immediately, close doors and gates latch but do not lock them and take all personal items.
