Massive Canadian Wildfire Prompts Urgent Evacuation as Poor Air Quality Poses Health Risks

Thousands of residents from a Canadian town are being urged to evacuate amid a fast-growing wildfire that has resulted in poor air quality and reduced visibility. The blaze in northeastern British Columbia started on Friday and almost doubled in size by the following day, reaching about 4,200 acres, according to BC Wildfire Service maps. The fire was burning just a few miles west of Fort Nelson's city limits. Fort Nelson is located in the far northeastern corner of British Columbia, about 995 miles from Vancouver. The combined population of Fort Nelson and the Fort Nelson Indian Reserve is about 3,000.

Impact on Air Quality and Visibility

The wildfire smoke coming from British Columbia is causing widespread poor air quality and reduced visibility, according to a Sunday alert. Online footage shared by locals from the Fort Nelson wildfire showed thick plumes of smoke rising high into the sky, with houses in the foreground. In some photos, haze seemed to cover wide areas. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nation issued a joint statement warning people choosing to stay that "emergency medical services are not available, nor are groceries or other amenities." The municipality mayor, Rob Fraser, said most of the residents in and around Fort Nelson have been evacuated, adding that police were going door to door to ensure everyone got out.

Health Concerns and Evacuation

Health authorities said Fort Nelson General Hospital has been safely evacuated and closed until further notice. Canadian officials have also warned people with lung diseases such as asthma, people with heart disease, older adults, children, those who are pregnant and people who work outdoors are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects from wildfire smoke. They recommended people who spend time outdoors wear a mask to reduce exposure to fire particles in the smoke.

Wildfires Spread to Alberta

Authorities in Alberta also issued an alert about a wildfire 15.5 miles southwest of the oil sands city of Fort McMurray. Fire restrictions will remain in effect in the area until conditions improve, officials said. The high winds pushed smoke across Alberta, putting the city of Edmonton under an air quality advisory with hazard levels rated at 10-plus — or "very high risk" — forecast. Meteorologists are not anticipating rain and have advised people to stay indoors. While conditions should begin to improve Sunday night, they will likely remain poor through Monday or even Tuesday, officials said.

Historic Wildfire Season Predicted

In April, Canadian officials warned the country could face another catastrophic wildfire season after last year's historic fires. There were warmer-than-normal temperatures and widespread drought conditions across Canada this winter, officials disclosed. Weather outlooks indicate that Canada can expect higher-than-normal temperatures this spring and summer as well, setting the stage for wildfires. Canada's wildfire season typically runs from May through October. The country is home to about 9% of the world's forests. In 2023, Canada witnessed a record number of wildfires, causing choking smoke in parts of the U.S. and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate across British Columbia.