MONTREAL - QUEBEC July 21. 2024 (Saba) - Canadian authorities announced on Saturday that the forest fire in the northeast of the country, which forced more than 9,000 people to leave their homes a week ago, is now under control, allowing people to begin returning to their homes.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Fury said in press statements that the risk to the towns of Labrador City and Wabush is now "very low."
“We are breathing a sigh of relief here again,” he explained, adding, “As a result, we are in a position that allows us to partially lift the evacuation order” for what he considered “the largest evacuation operation in the history of the province.”
At the present time, only essential workers, i.e. hospital employees, supermarket workers and government employees, will be allowed to return to prepare for the return of the people starting Monday, according to Fiore.
The evacuation process was difficult. The residents of this remote area had to travel 500 kilometers to reach safe places via the only available road.
While the situation is improving in eastern Canada, the west of the country has witnessed the outbreak of more forest fires in recent days.
More than 320 fires are now burning in British Columbia on the Pacific coast, including three particularly large fires. Several thousand people remain prepared to leave if necessary.
In the province of Alberta, evacuation orders have been issued for more than 5,000 people from isolated indigenous communities as out-of-control fires threaten the only road leading to their areas, according to officials.
The federal Environment Ministry issued several warnings about air pollution caused by smoke in the Rocky Mountains and the north, which affected Edmonton, the second largest city in the province.
Authorities say a combination of thunderstorms and extreme temperatures of between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius led to the outbreak of the fires, conditions that could continue for several more days.
Climate change is one of the main reasons for the increased risk of huge fires in recent years, according to experts.
H.H
resource : Saba
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