KELOWNA: Officials in western Canada's British Columbia implored tens of thousands of residents to heed warnings and evacuate on Saturday (Aug 19) as 'severe and fast changing' wildfires threatened large
on Saturday as"severe and fast changing" wildfires threatened large parts of the scenic Okanagan Valley, including the city of Kelowna.
"We cannot stress strongly enough how critical it is to follow evacuation orders when they are issued," Ma said at an afternoon news conference. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had spoken with British Columbia Premier David Eby about the"rapidly evolving and incredibly devastating wildfire situation" and pledged federal resources in responding to the disaster.the evacuation of regional capital YellowknifeWinds have been fanning the wildfires towards Yellowknife, but Saturday saw some relief after overnight rain brought a sharp dip in temperatures.
Several towns and Indigenous communities were evacuated earlier. The exodus from Yellowknife means half the population of the near-Arctic territory has been displaced. In British Columbia, blazes have already destroyed several properties in West Kelowna, separated by Okanagan Lake from its larger, eponymous neighbor.
Meanwhile across the border in the United States, several thousand people were forced to flee wildfires in Washington state, with at least one death reported, local media said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tens of thousands flee western Canada wildfiresKELOWNA: Residents of western Canada scrambled to evacuate on Saturday (Aug 19) as raging wildfires encroached on two metropolitan areas - separate blazes that have sent tens of thousands fleeing over the course of just days. The devastating fires in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories are
Read more »
Around 30,000 ordered to flee wildfires in western Canada's British ColumbiaKELOWNA: Around 30,000 people were under orders on Saturday (Aug 19) to evacuate their homes in western Canada's British Columbia, provincial officials said, as a raging wildfire bore down on the city of
Read more »
US sanctions 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials over rights abusesSAN JOSE: The US State Department on Saturday (Aug 19) sanctioned 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials accused of participating in human rights violations for their roles in the closure of a popular university and jailing of a prominent bishop. The sanctions include a ban on travel to the United States. The
Read more »
British Columbia residents on high alert as wildfires force state of emergencyKELOWNA, British Columbia: Thousands of British Columbia residents were on high evacuation alert on Saturday (Aug 19) after rapidly intensifying wildfires forced the western Canadian province to declare a state of emergency. The Pacific province has seen strong winds and dry lightning in the past 36 hours
Read more »
Stabbing threat at K-pop concert in Seoul turns out to be prank by 11-year-oldOfficials tracked down the 11-year-old via her IP address. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »