Residents flee, airlifts begin as wildfire approaches capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories

[Kamaji]

Residents flee, airlifts begin as wildfire approaches capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories

By Associated Press
August 17, 2023

YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories — Residents of the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories began fleeing an approaching wildfire Thursday in long convoys while air evacuations were underway for those who could not leave by road, the latest chapter in Canada’s worst fire season on record.

The fire was within 10 miles of the northern edge of Yellowknife, and people in the four areas of the city of 20,000 at highest risk were told to leave as soon as possible, Fire Information Officer Mike Westwick said.

Residents in other areas should be out by noon Friday, because strong north winds could push the fire toward the highway needed for evacuation, Westwick said.

Although some rain was forecast for the region, first responders were taking no chances.

“I want to be clear that the city is not in immediate danger and there’s a safe window for residents to leave the city by road and by air,” Shane Thompson, a government minister for the Territories, told a news conference. “Without rain, it is possible it will reach the city outskirts by the weekend.”

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Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/17/residents-flee-as-wildfire-approaches-capital-of-canadas-northwest-territories/

[GtHawk]

What Canada needs is more arsonist control,  prohibit the use of matches, lighters and other possible easily transported device capable of being an ignition source...everyone cough up you flint/magnesium and steel strikers.

[mystery-ak]

Canadian wildfire in Kelowna JUMPS lake which emergency services hoped would stop it in its tracks, as map shows how blazes across country could blanket US in smog TODAY

    Thousands of people have been evacuated in several parts of Canada after a series of huge wildfires broke out
    Around 20,000 people are being evacuated by plane from Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories
    In Kelowna, about 1,200 miles south of Yellowknife, thousands more have been evacuated after a separate wildfire jumped a lake and destroyed properties

By Christian Oliver

Published: 03:50 EDT, 18 August 2023 | Updated: 11:04 EDT, 18 August 2023

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes across several sections of Canada after a series of wildfires which threatened to blanket the US in dangerous smog.

In Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, more than 20,000 people have been ordered to flee their homes amid 'out of control' wildfires that now threaten to cut off access to the only highway out of the affected city.

Meanwhile, there were terrifying scenes 1,200 miles south in Kelowna, British Columbia, after another fire jumped Lake Okanagan and consumed several properties.

The infernos, which have come during Canada's worst fire season on record, also threaten to send enormous plumes of toxic smog over the United States. An official forecast map shows smoke is expected to be blown south eastwards throughout Friday and over the Midwest into the eastern United States.

Thousands evacuated Yellowknife on Thursday as wildfires burned across the region, forcing convoys of vehicles to snake south to safety on the only open highway.



more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12420067/More-20-000-Canadians-ordered-leave-homes-control-wildfires-advance-city-properties-destroyed.html

[Free Vulcan]

Buh buh, there was scientific consensus!

[libertybele]

Kelowna declares state of emergency, evacuation orders issued as wildfire jumps Okanagan Lake overnight

 The City of Kelowna has declared a state of emergency after the McDougall Creek wildfire jumped Okanagan Lake overnight, forcing more evacuations as spot fires ignite in the city.

Just before 1 a.m. Friday, a state of emergency was declared in the City of Kelowna and residents in the Clifton Road North and McKinley neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate their homes as spot fires flared in the city.

"Due to unpredictable fire behaviour, it is critical that all residents evacuate for their safety and the safety of first responders in the area," officials said in a statement Friday...............

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/kelowna-declares-state-of-emergency-evacuation-orders-issued-as-wildfire-jumps-okanagan-lake-overnight-1.6524568