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Numerous wildfires in Canada are out of control – like here in the Alberta region

Photo: Gov. of Alberta Fire Service / dpa / The Canadian Press / AP

Canada has launched an international call for help in the face of the continuing spread of wildfires. "The situation in Alberta remains very worrying and dangerous," said the Minister of Public Security, Bill Blair, according to the AFP news agency on Wednesday in Ottawa.

Another challenge is that there are now a significant number of fires in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Therefore, Canada is now "reaching out to other countries, the United States, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand," and asking them for help.

Numerous fires not under control

In Alberta, the wildfires that have been raging since early May have already devastated more than half a million hectares of forest and grassland. Numerous residential buildings and businesses were destroyed. Around 2500 firefighters from all over the country and 400 soldiers fought the flames in the province, 26 of which are currently not under control. Christie Tucker of the Alberta Wildfire Fire Department said, according to the CBC, that emergency services from the United States were already on site.

There were 60 fires in British Columbia on Wednesday, 15 of which were considered uncontrolled. In the area of the Northwest Territories, thousands of people were brought to safety because of the fires.

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Numerous fires out of control in Canada: Province of Alberta declares a state of emergency due to wildfires

"There is no doubt that the summer will be difficult and that we will need help," said a spokeswoman for the emergency services in Alberta. In view of the large number of fires, it will take months to deal with them, "unless a significant change in the weather brings a lot of moisture". It will be a "long struggle".

April was very dry in western Canada, followed by record temperatures and strong winds since the beginning of May. For several years now, the region has been repeatedly hit by extreme weather events, which, according to experts, are intensifying in intensity and frequency due to climate change.

mar/AFP