Thousands flee northern Alberta wildfire

[Eldorado]

Thousands of people living in northern Alberta have been forced out of their homes because of an out-of-control wildfire burning near Fox Lake, about 800 kilometres north of Edmonton.

The fire, located near Fox Lake, was last recorded at nearly 4,400 hectares in size as of Thursday, but it has grown and the intense fire activity and smoke has made it hard to accurately gauge the size, according to Alberta Wildfire.

Areas started evacuating Wednesday afternoon but by Thursday, the situation was dire.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9676500/fox-lake-northern-alberta-wildfire-evacuation/

More than 13,000 people who live in the Canadian province of Alberta have been evacuated.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/05/weather/alberta-canada-wildfires-evacuations/index.html

[Eldorado]

Alberta has declared a state of emergency after wildfires spread across the western Canadian province, driving nearly 25,000 people from their homes.

Faced with more than 100 wildfires, Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith called the situation "unprecedented".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65515446

[Eldorado]

The latest on the 100 wildfires burning across Alberta

 

[Eldorado]

Despite light showers and a decrease in temperatures in parts of the province, Alberta’s wildfire situation remained volatile Tuesday as firefighters race to contain the 88 active wildfires, 25 of which are considered out of control, across the province in the second week of burning.

Fire crews from Ontario and Quebec flew out west this weekend to support Alberta crews battle the burn area, which now totals more than 390,000 hectares.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9675857/alberta-wildfires-may-2023/

[Eldorado]

Firefighters in Alberta are preparing for increased fire activity as warm weather returns on the weekend.

Wednesday afternoon, the number of wildfires in Alberta had dropped from 88 to 78. Both days, 24 were classified as out of control.

So far this year, 421 wildfires have burned 410,000 hectares and government officials say the fire risk in the province remains high.

"For context, that's about double the average area burned for the entire wildfire season, and it's only May 10," said Christie Tucker, Alberta Wildfire information unit manager.

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/additional-firefighters-arrive-fire-risk-remains-high-as-alberta-prepares-for-warm-weather-1.6393340

[Eldorado]

It’s been two weeks since out-of-control wildfires began forcing evacuation orders in parts of Alberta and the situation remains critical.

“The wildfire situation is extremely volatile,” said Colin Blair with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency on Sunday afternoon.

“Our crews have had the opportunity to build fire guards and…  for the vast majority, those are holding,” said Josee St-Onge, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire.

“We are expecting challenging conditions to continue and that will be the case for the next few days as the hot and dry conditions persist.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/9697862/2-weeks-heat-dome-alberta-wildfires-emergency/

[Eldorado]

Alberta, Canada, wildfires show no sign of slowing, experts say

Since the first local state of emergency was declared on 4 May, over 782,000 hectares of land - 1.9 million American football fields or more than 3,000 square miles - have burned, local officials said.

Thousands of firefighters and support staff from across Canada and the US have descended upon the area to fight the ceaseless flames.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65638922

[+susieice]

Warnings were issued today as the intense heat wave that has gripped this part of Canada is showing no sign of abating. This is so sad. I really hope some relief comes soon but these kinds of weather patterns usually aren't seen until summer. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/wildfires-rip-canada-temperature-records-fall-dozens-rcna84782

The smoke has the air quality well into the high risk category.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/alberta-wildfires-edmonton-closes-some-outdoor-facilities-as-smoke-risk-remains-very-high/ar-AA1brZqe

[Nosy.Matters]

News to me holy! I've been in my cave too much. I'm sure it's over 2 million acres by now, "782,000 hectares" 1,931,540+ of forest OF TREES!, that can't be good. Hopefully the firefighters etc. don't get hurt. Sad, I remember, well in BC, hiking for days and not seeing one person, seemed endless up there. Again, thanks for the news.

[glorybebe]

We were experiencing the smoke in Southern BC, it has let up, wind must have changed.  They are worried for the Victoria long weekend (this weekend) as there are so many people out camping and it is so dry. I really hope Northern Alberta gets some rain soon to try and counter these fires

[+susieice]

Large portions of the US have air quality warnings because of the smoke from the wildfires.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/large-areas-us-experiencing-poor-air-quality-due/story?id=99490435

The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for all of Montana, as well as parts of Idaho, Colorado and Arizona.

 

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality urged residents on Friday to avoid outdoor activities in places with visible smoke and haze. Heavy smoke also began to pour into northeastern Colorado, including Denver, on Friday.

Health officials in Colorado and Montana issued air quality alerts through Saturday afternoon after conditions worsened.

[Nosy.Matters]

BC ....? misc. FYI I heard there was one(a fire) north of ?sp NipiNipi TippyCanoe and Tyler too resort, just north on Mitchell razorback ridge, smaller fire than Edmonton's and probably making good habitat range for Muleys (MULEdeer) in future years.

 

I'm beat WORN OUT put a fork in me, no reply necessary.

[glorybebe]

1 hour ago, Nosy.Matters said:

BC ....? misc. FYI I heard there was one(a fire) north of ?sp NipiNipi TippyCanoe and Tyler too resort, just north on Mitchell razorback ridge, smaller fire than Edmonton's and probably making good habitat range for Muleys (MULEdeer) in future years.

 

I'm beat WORN OUT put a fork in me, no reply necessary.

Fort ST John was on an evac notice I think that was where the smoke was coming from for us

[Eldorado]

Video recorded on a dash cam in Hammonds Plains, near Halifax on Sunday (May 28) shows large flames and smoke alongside a road. Halifax declared a state of local emergency late on Sunday after a wildfire caused evacuations and power outages.

[glorybebe]

We were warned with such a warm April and May that the fire threat will be high this year.  We had a high snow pack, so we're warned of floods.  But we didn't get the spring rains and it is already dry in the forests.  Going to be a scary year

Edited May 29 by glorybebe
Autocorrect

[glorybebe]

150 homes destroyed in devastating Halifax wildfire: ‘A very tough time for the community’

https://globalnews.ca/news/9732278/ns-wildfires-may-30-tantallon-fire-hammonds-plains-halifax/

That is so horrible.  

[Doc Socks Junior]

Eeesh. My planning field work in the Pacific Northwest over the past years and in the future, has and will be influenced by these wildfire risks. My heart goes out to the people losing homes and livelihoods in these conflagrations. It's bad out there.

[Eldorado]

Canada is bracing for what forecasters say may be the country's worst wildfire season on record.

It has already seen 2,214 fires this year, which have burned an area roughly totalling the size of Belgium.

Projections suggest the risk of wildfires will only increase in June and remain unusually high with little respite throughout the summer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65816466

[+susieice]

Our news this morning said our air quality here will be bad because of the fires in Nova Scotia. They showed a map and Canada is burning all across the country. My heart breaks for the Canadian people. I hope they stay safe along with all first responders.

[+susieice]

Yesterday afternoon when I went outside the sky was full of smoke and you could clearly smell it. I thought something was burning locally but the news confirms it is coming from Canada's wildfires. It's from multiple fires burning in Nova Scotia and Quebec. Things here are really dry too with no sign of possible rain until Sunday night. New Jersey also has fires. 

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/wildfire-smoke-in-lehigh-valley-prompts-calls-to-fire-departments-as-air-quality-alert-extended/article_c80c6916-04cb-11ee-87f9-f7296bf76bd1.html#tncms-source=Homepage-Top-Stories

These conditions will continue today. It's very hazy here this morning. We're being told to avoid going outside and close windows. Especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues. The air quality is very poor. We can actually smell it.

https://www.wfmz.com/weather/hazy-sunshine-and-poor-air-quality-continues-wednesday/article_65de8c22-0509-11ee-ab7d-577315509a90.html#tncms-source=Homepage-Top-Stories

New York City is also covered with smoke and haze.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/photos-show-new-york-haze-caused-by-canadian-wildfire-smoke/ar-AA1cedFm

All outdoor shots from the news this morning, whether it's local or Philadelphia, is full of this smoky haze.

 

Edited June 7 by susieice

[+susieice]

The noon news is saying that our air quality is now in Code Red. This is very very unusual. They want everyone to limit any outdoor activity. The air is unhealthy to breath. There are multiple fires above Montreal and the jet stream is carrying the smoke right down over us.

As I look out my windows now, the sky is very hazy and smoky with a dull orangey glow.

I just went to look outside and I didn't even get out of the building before I could smell smoke. The odor is strong in the vestibule. 

The air quality alert is all that's been on the news.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/philadelphia-is-under-a-code-red-alert-as-millions-from-the-east-coast-to-canada-suffer-unhealthy-air-from-quebec-s-wildfires/ar-AA1ceZWm

Edited June 7 by susieice

[+susieice]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/canada-wildfires-firefighters-battling-more-than-400-blazes-tens-of-millions-in-us-struggle-with-smoke-pollution-live/ar-AA1cfnlw

On Wednesday, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau praised the “extreme modesty of heroes” as fire crews across the country grappled with more than 400 blazes, 239 of which are considered out of control.

“Firefighters are stepping up first responders are stepping up in harrowing situations to save their fellow citizens,” said Trudeau. “I think we all need to be taking time to recognize the first responders in our communities.”

Trudeau acknowledged air quality warnings across the country that have called for vulnerable people to remain indoors. Outdoor school events have been canceled and in eastern Canadian cities, students have been kept inside.

More than 100 firefighters are set to arrive from France on Thursday to assist crews in Quebec. Already, there are nearly 1,000 international firefighters helping Canadian crews, coming from the US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. “It’s all hands on deck,” said public safety minister Bill Blair.

Already, 2,293 wildfires have burned in Canada this season, torching approximately 3.8 million hectares of land, well above the 10-year average of 1,624 fires and 254,429 hectares burned.

An estimated 20,180 people remain evacuated from their homes and communities.

 

[+susieice]

Trudeau has given an update today. God Bless. This article says firefighters from Costa Rica are now on their way.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-live-trudeau-gives-update-on-canadian-wildfires-spreading-smoke-across-canada-and-u-s

[Myles]

It's going to be a tough year with lots of fires in North America.   In Northern Indiana, we haven't had rain in over 3 weeks with much of it over 90 degrees F.  

[spartan max2]

My areas been getting a lot of air quality warnings