Thousands evacuated in 3 Canada provinces as wildfires rage
Smoke was worsening air quality in Canada and into some US states along the border
More than 25,000 residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active on Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US, according to officials.
Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1,300 in Alberta. About 8,000 people in Saskatchewan had been relocated as leaders there warned the number could climb.
Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border.
“Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,” Saskatchewan’s Public Safety Agency warned Sunday. “As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said continuing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin.