The province of Alberta has declared a wildfire emergency as multiple fires burn out of control. The emergency declaration allows the government to access additional resources and personnel to help fight the fires. Officials have warned residents to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The fires have already destroyed several homes and forced hundreds of people to leave their communities. The largest blaze, known as the Chuckegg Creek fire, has burned over 100,000 hectares of land and is expected to continue growing.
Firefighters from across the country have been deployed to help battle the blazes, but high winds and dry conditions are making the firefighting efforts difficult. The province has also asked for help from other countries, including the United States and Mexico.
The wildfires come as the province is already grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Officials are urging residents to follow health guidelines and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, even as they deal with the wildfires.