Hundreds of wildfires ravage Canada

Hundreds of wildfires ravage Canada

Large areas in Canada were battling several hundred fierce forest fires Thursday that have caused thousands to flee their homes.

A total of 118 fires, including about 20 that authorities have classified as out of control, were blazing in Saskatchewan alone, according to a latest report.

Troops have begun arriving in the central province, where the Canadian government said it would send up to 1400 personnel, including a firefighting force.

More than 13,000 people are still living in community centres several hundred kilometres away from their homes and in the neighbouring province of Alberta, after being evacuated a week ago.

“It’s difficult for them,” said Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan minister of government relations, adding that their return date is not known due to changing weather conditions.

Particularly violent blazes have ravaged Saskatchewan’s north, in areas populated by native peoples, while two other provinces are also ablaze.

Unusual drought and high seasonal temperatures have fuelled the outbreak, Reiter said.

In British Colombia, Canada’s westernmost province, new fires have been declared nearly every day, with evacuation advisories issued for the Rocky Mountain area.

Firefighters have also carried out evacuations in an area 500km north of Vancouver.

In Alberta, nearly 100 fires are active, 11 of which were declared in the last 24 hours, the province’s fire service said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]