A state of emergency announced in Halifax
Fires continue to rage, schools to close.
For more than two weeks now, wildfires have been serious in Alberta and nearby provinces. Now the situation is escalating in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Massive fires have damaged or completely destroyed dozens of homes in the region because of gusty winds and drought conditions.
David Meldrum, the deputy chief of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, says about 18,000 people were displaced from their homes after the fire broke out and began to spread rapidly.
Unfortunately, the weather is not expected to change, which means that firefighting may last at least another week.
About 100 firefighters are now doing their best to seize the fire. the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables involves helicopters and help is on the way from Newfoundland and Labrador.
The extent of the fire remains unclear, and Meldrum says emergency officials are still trying to determine how many homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged, although there are no reports of casualties.
The Halifax municipality has set up temporary housing for people fleeing the fire, and early Monday morning reminded residents that evacuation orders are mandatory.
The fire was first reported Sunday around 3:30 p.m. local time. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage immediately contacted the responsible ministries and issued a statement urging residents to avoid dangerous areas.
It's a very stressful time for people. It's life-changing for people who have been impacted by this. It's a very serious fire," the mayor said.
Scott Tingley, a spokesman for the provincial Department of Natural Resources and manager of forest protection, said Monday morning that the latest unofficial report was about 100 hectares, but that the fire area is expected to be larger.
It remains to be hoped that the province will use modern technology and artificial intelligence, which are gradually beginning to be used in Canada, to extinguish the fires as quickly as possible.
