The Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, declared a State of Emergency after reviewing the state of wildfires that are rocking the province. While declaring the State of Emergency, the Premier said Alberta “has been experiencing a hot, dry spring, and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires.”
According to Smith, over 20 communities have been evacuated and a minimum of 122,000 hectares have burned so far. With the declaration, the government of Alberta will be able to wield “greater powers to respond to extreme situations.”
Also, two out-of-control wildfires in neighbouring British Columbia made some people leave their houses, and officials have warned that high winds will make the blazes grow bigger in the next few days.
Provincial officials in Alberta disclosed that the weather forecast was favourable for the next few days, with little amounts of rain and overcast conditions. However, they cautioned that hot and dry conditions were predicted to come back within a few days.
Colin Blair, the Executive Director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, said accurate damage reports were not yet available because conditions made it hard to assess the situation. Some buildings, including 20 homes, a police station and a store, were destroyed in Fox Lake. Residents were evacuated by helicopter or boat.
Furthermore, amid fears that the wildfires would degenerate more, there is a growing concern that the flames may reach oil refineries in Alberta. Alberta remains Canada’s biggest oil and natural gas producer and as authorities are monitoring the situation closely, there are no reported disruptions in production so far.
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