Western Canada Declares Fire Emergency as Evacuations Climb
Voice of America
MONTREAL - Canada's western province of British Columbia declared a state of emergency Tuesday, with wildfires expected to grow even larger in the coming days due to high heat and winds.
"We have reached a critical point," said provincial public safety minister Mike Farnworth. "Based on the advice of emergency management and wildfire officials, and my briefing last night on the worsening weather, I am declaring a provincial state of emergency." The decision empowers officials to organize mass-scale evacuations and to provide emergency accommodation for evacuees, he added. Some 5,700 people were under evacuation orders in the province Tuesday -- more than double the previous day's tally, as the threatened region grew in size.More Related News
A scenic view from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, May 10, 2024. A view of roses in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, May 10, 2024. The White House Kitchen Garden in Washington, May 10, 2024. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House in Washington, May 10, 2024.