Vancouver. – In the midst of a unique process, which included A fleet of more than 40 rescue aircraft, Thousands of people have been evacuated in northern and western CanadaOn Saturday, firefighters continued to fight unusual fires.
“At least 19,000 people have been evacuated from Yellowknife in the past 48 hours.”Almost the entire city, Shane Thompson, the environment secretary for the Northwest Territories, of which Yellowknife is the capital, said Friday night.
The country is witnessing a Forest fire season record this year: 168,000 Canadians were evacuated and 14 million hectares burned, an area comparable to Greecedouble the last record, which dates back to 1989.
In recent days, some 15,000 people have left by road and 3,800 have been evacuated by air, while at least 300 firefighters have been mobilized to put out the flames. One of the most important devices known to this isolated region of the far north of Canadahe added.
Some of the evacuees arrived late Friday at Calgary Airport in Alberta, about 1,750 kilometers south of Yellowknife, with small bags and sometimes a pet.It was really horrible. I couldn’t believe itsaid Martha Kanatsiak, 59, a resident of Yellowknife who arrived in Calgary late Friday.
I have lived there for over 20 years and It’s the first time they’ve asked to leavepointed out this retired Inuit, who had only brought two small bags with her.
“I feel so lost, I have no idea what’s going to happen now”All three looked scared, said Byron Garrison, a 27-year-old construction worker who was accompanied by his girlfriend and boyfriend.
Refugees from the far north were received in a small room, registered and distributed to hotels. They were given fruit, biscuits and water.
At least 40 planes carrying 2,500 passengers from Yellowknife have landed in CalgaryAuthorities said the city provided 495 hotel rooms for the evacuees.
British ColumbiaThe city, located about 600 kilometers west of Calgary, is also facing wildfires and had to declare a state of emergency on Friday.
Flames especially affect West Kelowna (more than 30,000 residents), as a “large number” of homes burned down, according to the authorities.
The luxury hotel Okanagan Lake ResortWhich in the past hosted high-ranking political leaders such as the former British Prime Minister Margaret ThatcherAmong the buildings destroyed by fire, according to photos carried by local newspapers.
The situation is also critical on the other side of Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna (pop. 150,000), where The University of British Columbia campus, home to more than 11,000 students, was placed under an evacuation order Friday night.
The airspace in the area has also been closed to facilitate the work of firefighting aircraft.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin TrudeauLate Friday, he traveled to Edmonton, about 1,000 kilometers from Yellowknife, where he met evacuees from the north at a reception center.
Trudeau spoke about ‘Uncertain and frightening times’More than a thousand fires are raging across the country from east to west, including more than 230 in the Northwest Territories and more than 370 in British Columbia.
In recent years, Canada has faced severe weather events that are increasing in intensity and frequency due to global warming.
Agencies Agence France-Presse and ANSA
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