Wildfires began early in May 2023 in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces, which have affected over 10,000 people. Alberta government’s wildfire division has responded to 496 wildfires through May 22 and over 842,000 hectares have been burned so far
Wildfires are raging across Canada, with smoke from the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan pouring into the United States. The fires began early in May 2023 and 10,000 people in Alberta and British Columbia were forced to evacuate. Alberta is home to more than four million people and is under a state of emergency as nearly 100 wildfires burn, dozens of them out of control. Photos: @AlbertaWildfire / Twitter
The first local state of emergency was declared on May 4. As of May 21, 2023, 84 fires burned in Alberta, 23 of which were out of control, reported news website ABC News. Early data suggests this wildfire season could be one of the worst on record, reported news website British Broadcasting Corporation. However, scattered rains and even smoke cover cooled air temperatures and helped efforts to fight wildfires in the province over the weekend. Photo: Earth Observatory, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Early May is typically the start of the wildland fire season in Alberta, as snowmelt uncovers dead vegetation that can become fuel for fires, according to NASA. This year, an unusually hot and dry spring made it easier for fires to start. The majority of central and northern Alberta received less than half the rainfall this year from the middle of February to middle of May. Photo: @AlbertaWildfire / Twitter
The wildfire smoke blanketing the western region of Canada triggered health warnings for people but was also helping to cool blazes by blocking out a hot sun across hard-hit portions of the country on May 21, reported news outlet WION. Alberta Wildfire has responded to 496 wildfires through May 22. More than 842,000 hectares have been burned, compared with just 459 hectares last year. Photos: @AlbertaWildfire / Twitter
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