Wildfire threats rise in western provinces amid warmer, drier weather forecast
Canada’s western provinces are dealing with a number of wildfires caused by warmer, drier weather.
The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring the Nohomin Creek Fire, which is over 20 square kilometers in size and burning just west of the village of Lytton.
It says lower humidity will cause fuels to dry out, fanning the flames of the nearly week-old blaze that has already destroyed at least six properties.
Lytton was flattened in a similar fire last year and many residents evacuated in 2021 have still not returned home.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service says the heat and hot weather has caused 45 fires in the province, with the largest being east of the Mathias Columbus Cree Nation.
It says about 230 square kilometers have been burned and the nearby community of Pukatawagan has been evacuated.
The service says the rain has helped firefighting efforts in the southern half of Manitoba, but the northwest corner of the province remains a concern with new fires and heavy smoke obstructing suppression efforts.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 19, 2022
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