Canada’s British Columbia declares state of emergency over wildfires

British Columbia declared a provincial state of emergency as fast-spreading wildfires forced large-scale evacuations, destroyed properties and prompted air rescues. Meanwhile, wildfires in Ontario worsened air quality across major cities, disrupted rail services and forced evacuations as over 100 fires remained active

Ottawa: The western Canadian province of British Columbia (B.C.) declared a provincial state of emergency on Saturday (local time) as fast-spreading wildfires threatened several communities.

Speaking at a news conference in Vancouver, B.C. Premier David Eby said the decision was necessary given the dynamic wildfire situation and overnight large-scale evacuations, which required specific tools to ensure public safety, reports Xinhua news agency. “The conditions of this fire are extremely dangerous and are changing minute by minute,” Eby said, stressing that saving lives and supporting rescue efforts remain the government’s top priority.

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He added that air evacuations are underway to rescue people cut off by the flames. According to the provincial emergency management ministry, the state of emergency will grant the government greater flexibility to respond to the crisis, including the authority to commandeer accommodations and impose local travel restrictions.

The wildfire near Summerland remains particularly severe, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and destroying several homes and properties. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on social media later Saturday that the federal government stands ready to offer full support to B.C. in its firefighting and relief efforts.

Wildfires sweeping across northwestern Ontario, Canada, in recent days have caused severe smog and a sharp deterioration in air quality in several regions, including Ottawa, the nation’s capital, and Toronto, Canada’s largest city.

Toronto’s air quality index ranked the worst among major global cities. According to data released by Environment Canada, Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index was classified as “very high risk.” Earlier, Ottawa also issued air quality alerts due to a combination of wildfire smoke and humid weather, with high humidity trapping smoke particles in the air and turning the sky yellow.

Meanwhile, a video widely circulated on social media showed a Canadian National (CN) train surrounded by raging wildfires near Armstrong, Ontario. The footage, filmed by a locomotive crew member, showed towering flames engulfing the woods on both sides of the train and casting an intense red glow throughout the locomotive cab. CN on Wednesday confirmed the authenticity of the video, adding that the train crew had been safely evacuated.

Currently, more than 100 active fires are still burning in northwestern Ontario, forcing the emergency evacuation of residents from several communities. CN has also announced a temporary suspension of train operations in the affected section.