A typically dry early summer weather has caused fires throughout the nation, prompting Canada to send its military to the eastern province of Nova Scotia to combat wildfires that have evicted 18,000 people from their homes.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair announced that the armed forces would provide supplies and personnel to relieve the firefighters “who have been working tirelessly around the clock to protect communities right across Nova Scotia.”
read more: Wildfires in Canada force evacuation of 29,000 people
In seven out of Canada’s ten provinces, there are currently 211 wildfires burning, 82 of which are out of control, according to Blair.
Two enormous fires are currently raging in Nova Scotia, posing a threat to the neighborhoods surrounding Halifax, the provincial capital.
In order to avoid the rising temperatures brought on by the fires, about 28,000 people have evacuated their homes, 18,000 of whom are from Nova Scotia.
Blair told reporters that the weather at this point in the season was unprecedented. “Similar extreme weather events may continue to occur more frequently and with greater severities across our nation as a result of climate change.”
The central province of Quebec has 13 active wildfires with two out of control, according to officials, while the western province of Alberta has 61 active wildfires, 16 of which are out of control, according to CBC News, citing Quebec’s fire prevention agency.
According to a tweet from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his administration was closely observing the situation in Quebec.
Numerous firefighters have been dispatched from the US, Australia, and New Zealand to combat the spreading wildfires.
Around 224 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand and 800 from the United States have arrived, according to officials.
According to officials, South Africa is sending more than 200 firefighters, and an additional batch of 100 firefighters from the US are on their way to Nova Scotia.
