Forest fires: the wind is concerned in British Columbia

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QMI agency

Sunday, 23 July, 2017 15:45

UPDATE
Sunday, 23 July, 2017 15:53

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The return in force of the wind, after a few days of weather more clement, concern in British Columbia, where forest fires have forced the evacuation of about 45,000 people.

According to Environment Canada, the gusts were expected to reach the 50 km/h in places in the south of the province on Sunday, with the risk of reinforcing the fires, reported the “Vancouver Sun”.

To date, approximately 730 fires have reduced to ashes 3618 square kilometres of forest, more than the entire area of the metropolitan area of Vancouver (2865 square kilometers).

So that from 3000 to 5000 refugees were able to begin returning to their homes Saturday in the area of 100 Mile House, the fires have resulted in other closures, in particular on the side of the provincial park, mount Assiniboine, where 4126 hectares of forest are affected by fire. Parks Canada, however, reported Sunday to be able to “make good progress to prevent the fire from spreading to priority sectors”.

On Saturday, the federal minister of public Safety, Ralph Goodale, announced that Ottawa will pay $ 600 per household evacuated, and $ 300 for possible return to the emergency fund for evacuees of British Columbia. This fund, which received $ 100 million from the provincial government, is used by the Red Cross to help the disaster victims.

“The Red Cross continues to support with financial assistance to the evacuees. Also, it is on the ground to support the municipalities that are responsible for helping the evacuees,” said Lise Anne Pierce, manager of disaster Services for the region of British Columbia for the canadian Red Cross, in an interview with TVA News.

“It is clear that people are emotionally tired, frustrated, they want to return to the house, but that they understand that they must wait until the professionals say it is safe,” added the manager.