Outrageous, once again due to an early drought. The western Canadian province of Alberta declared a state of emergency on Saturday after around 100 wildfires broke out there and forced around 25,000 residents from their homes. Authorities urged thousands more people to be ready to leave at any time. A total of 110 fires have been recorded, fueled by high winds, a third of which have spiraled out of control. “We have declared a state of emergency in the province to protect the safety, health and welfare of Alberta residents.” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a news conference.

Hot and dry spring

This Canadian province, one of the largest oil producers in the world, “had a hot dry spring and with so much kindling it only takes a few sparks to start a really scary fire,” had previously explained Danielle Smith. All of these factors combined “led to the unprecedented situation our province is facing today.”

About 122,000 hectares burned down, she said, and 20 towns were evacuated. The state government imposed the state of emergency “Increased powers to respond to extreme situations”, the Premier of Alberta indicated in particular the mobilization of additional resources and the release of emergency funds.

Alberta — in the middle of an election — and a significant area of ​​the neighboring province of Saskatchewan and much of the Northwest Territories are currently at extreme fire risk, according to a federal government map. . Drayton Valley, a town of 7,000 in Alberta about 140 kilometers west of Edmonton, is among the evacuated communities. A massive fire destroyed 20 homes, a store and a police station in Fox Lake, northern Alberta. Residents were evacuated by boats and helicopters.