Canadian firefighters wage epic battle to save communities after mass evacuations

Canadian firefighters engaged in a monumental struggle to protect communities following widespread evacuations, as they battled the wildfires that raged through the suburbs of West Kelowna and necessitated the clearing of the University of British Columbia campus in Kelowna on Saturday.

Meanwhile, almost the entire population of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories and home to over 20,000 people, evacuated due to another massive wildfire, one among hundreds that are blazing across western Canada.

The entire province of British Columbia was declared in a state of emergency, as firefighters faced an incredibly challenging battle. The West Kelowna Fire Chief, Jason Brolund, announced in a press conference that the fire had escalated far beyond what they had anticipated, stating, “We fought 100 years of fires all in one night.” While there were no fatalities, a “significant number” of structures were demolished.

In Yellowknife, firefighters were anxious that the fire might reach the city over the weekend, and the weather forecast predicted no relief, with sunny skies expected on Saturday. As of Friday evening, about 19,000 people had fled Yellowknife within a span of less than 48 hours, and concerns grew that the only means of escape might be severed, leaving behind around 2,600 individuals, including emergency teams and residents who opted to stay.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reassured the evacuees in Edmonton, expressing solidarity on X (formerly Twitter), and commending those responding to the disaster. The Heritage Minister of Canada also requested Meta to revoke its ban on sharing local news on Facebook and Instagram to aid in the dissemination of information in the fire-threatened areas. Meta, however, encouraged users to obtain information from official sources, while activating its “safety check” program.

This year, Canada has witnessed an unprecedented number of wildfires, amounting to over 5,700, scorching more than 137,000 square kilometers (53,000 square miles) across the country. The fires, particularly unsettling for residents in British Columbia, have also caused thick smog in parts of the U.S.

In Yellowknife, firefighting efforts included dropping water and retardants, digging a 10-kilometer (6-mile) fire line, and deploying 20 kilometers (12 miles) of hose, with a multitude of pumps to contain the fire. The city’s streets stood nearly vacant, and most stores were closed. One resident described the situation as a “ghost town,” as he checked on nearby indigenous communities.

The events were reported by Sharp from Portland, Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wildfires

More about wildfires

• Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
• Government of British Columbia Wildfire Service
• Yellowknife Emergency Services
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s official social media platforms
• Meta’s official statements and policies regarding safety and community support during emergencies