25,000 flee in ‘unprecedented’ Canadian bushfire crisis

The number of fires – fanned by strong winds – jumps to 110 in the western province of Alberta.

A smoke column rises from a bushfire near Shining Bank, Alberta. Picture: Reuters

Alberta announced a state of emergency on Saturday as bushfires flared across the Canadian province, forcing 25,000 people to flee their homes in what an official said was an “unprecedented” crisis.

Thousands more have been told to be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice, as the number of fires – fanned by strong winds – jumped to 110.

A third of the blazes were listed as out of control.

“We’ve declared a provincial state of emergency to protect the safety, health and welfare of ­Albertans,” Premier Danielle Smith said after a meeting of her government’s emergency management committee.

Earlier she said the province, one of the world’s largest oil-­producing regions, “has been ­experiencing a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires”.

“These conditions have resulted in the unprecedented situation our province is facing today,” she said.

More than 20 communities have been evacuated and at least 122,000ha have burned so far.

AFP