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Canada Wildfire Crosses Into Saskatchewan

Canada Wildfire Crosses Into Saskatchewan
Canada Wildfire Crosses Into Saskatchewan

The massive Canadian wildfire that displaced thousands of people in Alberta has officially spread to neighboring Saskatchewan.

The fire is now spread over 4,830 square kilometers and has expanded east.

The nearest village is more than 30 km from the border, but smoke and ash could be a concern for the town of La Loche, Saskatchewan. There are currently nine fires in Saskatchewan, BBC reported.

If the fire or air quality does not worsen, evacuees from fire-ravaged Fort McMurray may start to return home as soon as June 1, Alberta premier Rachel Notley has said.

The timeline for more than 80,000 people returning to their homes is “conditional”, she said on Wednesday. The reentry plan will allow for some residents to come back on June 1 and all residents are to return by June 15.

In order for the timeline to be followed, five conditions must be met, Notley said. She suggested residents bring food and drinking water, portable coolers, boots, flashlights, batteries and cameras back with them.

“Let me be clear that this reentry plan is voluntary. It’s a matter of allowing those people who wish to return on a voluntary basis to do so in a phased and cautious way. We anticipate that many people will not return as early as June 1 and we will support them in that decision,” said Notley.

She warned that the date would be pushed back if conditions change.    

The fire began on May 3 and destroyed more than 2,400 homes and buildings, and displaced thousands of people. Notley has assured that those with no homes to return to will be helped by the government.

Financialtribune.com