CANADA OVER 100 FIRES IN ALBERTA

DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY

The Canadian province of Alberta declared a state of emergency on Saturday after around 100 forest fires broke out there and drove some 25,000 residents from their homes, an "unprecedented" situation, announced the premier of the province.

Authorities have asked thousands more to be ready to leave at any time.

"We have declared a provincial state of emergency to preserve the safety, health and well-being of Albertans," Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a press conference.

This Canadian province, one of the largest oil producers in the world, and where 103 forest fires have broken out in recent days, “had a hot and dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to start really scary fires," Ms Smith had earlier explained.

All of these factors together "have resulted in the unprecedented situation our province faces today." About 122,000 hectares have burned, she said, and 20 localities have been evacuated.

The state of emergency gives the provincial government "increased powers to respond to extreme situations", Ms. Smith said, including the mobilization of additional resources and the release of emergency funds.

Alberta in the middle of an election, and a significant area of ​​the neighboring province of Saskatchewan, as well as a large part of the Northwest Territories are currently facing an extreme risk of fires, according to the federal government.

According to a map posted on the government website, these areas are on moderate to severe drought alert, a situation made more likely and more intense with global warming.

If precipitation is expected and could help slow the spread of the largest outbreaks, it should not be enough to put out the fires, estimates with Radio-Canada Josée St-Onge, communication officer for the provincial agency of fight against fires.

Drayton Valley, a town of 7,000 people in Alberta about 140 kilometers west of Edmonton, is among the evacuated communities.

In Fox Lake, northern Alberta, a violent fire destroyed 20 homes, a store and a police station. Residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter.