Northwest Territories Minister for Community and Municipal Affairs Shane Thompson declared a state of emergency for this area, twice the size of France, on Tuesday, August 15. “We are in a crisis situation”, he is arguing. As a matter of fact, “More than 230 fires still ravage the boreal forest” And “More than 20,000 km² forest have already been burned”, Summary The press.

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented fire season. Tuesday, the latest data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center reported that 13.7 million hectares of forest had gone up in smoke and 1,073 fires were active.

One of the fires occurred about 20 kilometers from Yellowknife. What “Means that it has moved about 10 kilometers closer to the capital [de l’État] since yesterday”, note the network CBC. Several neighborhoods have been put on evacuation alert. Mayor Rebecca Alty says 12 businesses and the military are working to create safe zones to stop the fires from spreading. reports Radio Canada.

Evacuations by military aircraft

According to statement quoted from the local newspaper NNSL MediaResidents of Fort Smith and Hay River are also at risk from fires in the South Slave region. The hamlet of Enterprise has been razed to the ground for more than 85%. declare to CBC Its mayor, Michael St. Amour, has yet to return to see the extent of the damage. “I think there are seven or eight houses and three or four shops left.”he says.

Michael St. Amour is one of hundreds of people evacuated from the area by Canadian military planes. With several highways closed due to the proximity of the flames, local authorities implemented their measures “largest airlift in the history of the Northwest Territories”point it out again The press.

The current situation comes a month after record temperatures were recorded in the Northwest Territories. On July 8, the thermometer read 37.4°C at Fort Good Hope and 37.8°C at Norman Wells. According to the weather channel weather channel, “The incredible heat of the Far North ranks among the hottest temperatures ever recorded near the Canadian Arctic.”.