As western Canada swelters in hot, dry weather and fires eject thousands from their homes, Alberta, Canada’s main oil-producing state, is experiencing an increase in wildfire activity.
Authorities declared on Saturday that they had already noticed a rise in fire activity and expecting more. Residents forced to evacuate early this month say they are frustrated with the indefinite displacement.
Officials have issued special alerts across western Canada and asked citizens to exercise caution due to the forecasted 30° Celsius (86°F) high temperatures in some locations, which are 10 to 15 degrees above average.
“The wildfire danger is extreme in most of the province and will continue to increase in the coming days,” Alberta Wildfire official Josee St-Onge told a briefing Saturday.
“We are expecting wildfire activity to pick up today. In fact, it already has.”
