Today's Edition
Berlin (dpa)
In large parts of Canada, dangerous wildfires continue to spread: Of more than 120 fire hotspots nationwide, about half were burning out of control, according to the latest national wildfire report from Saturday.
Following the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, residents in the westernmost provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have now also been urged to evacuate the affected areas for safety.
There were also isolated fires in the province of Ontario, located in the mid-east. According to information from the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail, thousands of people were affected by the evacuations.
An exceptional drought, along with wind, has favoured the ignition and spread of wildfires. "Pray for rain," Manitoba's Premier Wab Kinew urged the population, according to broadcaster CBC.
However, he said that significant rainfall, which could help extinguish the flames, is not yet in sight.
The province of Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and requested international assistance.
In neighbouring Saskatchewan, a state of emergency is also in effect due to the scale of the fires.
Although wildfires occur in Canada every year, particularly between May and September, Saskatchewan's Premier Scott Moe assessed the situation as worse than ever before.
