Canada wildfire: mass evacuation of 30,000 residents ordered

Vancouver: In British Columbia, Canada, an urgent evacuation order has been issued, impacting around 30,000 people, as a ferocious wildfire advances towards the city of Kelowna.

The province's minister of emergency management and climate readiness, Bowinn Ma, informed the public that this number remains fluid and approximately 36,000 more individuals are on evacuation alert. This dire situation has been prompted by the escalating wildfire crisis, with thick smoke enveloping Kelowna.

This adds the town to the list of population centers affected by Canada's intense summer fires, which have already consumed millions of acres.

Ma stressed the critical importance of heeding evacuation orders, emphasizing that they are not only crucial for the individuals involved but also for the safety of the first responders attempting to aid and protect those affected. "They are a matter of life and death not only for the people in those properties but also for the first responders who will often go back to try to implore people to leave," she stated during a news conference.

The evacuation order, however, was met with different figures from Premier David Eby, who cited 35,000 people having been ordered to leave and 30,000 told to prepare for potential evacuation if the situation worsens. Amidst these alarming developments, authorities are appealing to thrill-seekers to avoid the region, as their presence could disrupt the crucial operations of firefighting crews and emergency personnel, reported AFP.

In response to the intensifying crisis, Premier Eby and Minister Ma issued an emergency order intended to discourage non-essential visits to the affected area. This directive specifically pertains to several localities, including Kelowna, as well as Kamloops, Oliver, Penticton, Vernon, and Osoyoos, and even extends to Osoyoos, which lies near the US border. The emergency measure effectively prohibits visitors from checking into temporary accommodations such as hotels.

Eby underlined the necessity for individuals to remain outside these areas unless absolutely necessary, advocating for a cooperative approach to mitigate the impact of the ongoing wildfire threat.

The evacuation of Kelowna comes on the heels of a major evacuation from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, which was executed in response to fires advancing towards the region. However, there's a glimmer of hope as weather forecasts indicate some relief from the situation, with overnight rain leading to a significant drop in temperatures, potentially aiding firefighting efforts.