200 firefighters from U.S. arrive in Alberta as wildfire danger threatens south of province
Posted May 14, 2023 3:41 pm.
Last Updated May 14, 2023 3:44 pm.
Two hundred wildland firefighters from the United States have arrived in Alberta to help battle wildfires as challenging conditions are expected for the next few days.
Firefighters from Oregon, Montano, Idaho, Washington, South Dakota and Colorado are being deployed in central and northern Alberta.
More than 800 people from other agencies, including from Parks Canada, the Canadian military and other provinces, are helping Alberta fight the wildfires that have forced thousands from their homes this month.
READ: Alberta wildfire activity picking up with hot, dry conditions expected into next week
Hot and dry conditions with low humidity and little chance of rain is expected into next week.
“The fire danger is extreme again today,” said Alberta Wildfire’s Josee St-Onge on Sunday.
Officials say peak burning conditions are still to come.
Hot, dry weather is pushing fire risk to extreme levels across the province, including in the south.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 14, 2023
And the wildfire danger is beginning to threaten the south of the province, with conditions there drying out.
Alberta Wildfire says that could lead to a repositioning of firefighting resources “in strategic places.” St-Onge says officials will analyze the evolving situation in the coming days.
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There were 87 active wildfires in the province as of Sunday afternoon, including 24 out of control – both increases from the previous day.
The 521,000 hectares that have burned so far this year make 2023 the seventh worst season on record. The wildfire season in Alberta runs annually from March 1 to Oct. 31.
Alberta Wildfire says the peak burning period – when temperatures are at their highest and “fuels” are at their driest – is still ahead.
