Forest Fire Forces 3,5000 People to Evacuate in Western Canada

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 02, 2003

Forest Fire Forces 3,5000 People to Evacuate in Western Canada

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A raging forest fire in Canada's western province of British Columbia has forced up to 3,500 peopleto evacuate and prompted the province to declare a state of emergency in some regions, reports reaching here said Friday.

Provincial officials said the move to declare emergency is aimed at assisting fire crews in the McLure and Barriere regions in central part of the province. The wind-fanned blaze has forced the evacuation of 2,500 people from Barriere alone.

The wildfire began two days ago in the nearby community of Mclure where 40 residents from 30 homes were evacuated. It appearsthe blaze was started when someone tossed away a cigarette.

Three buildings near McLure were destroyed and about 20 people were evacuated from the nearby village of Louis Creek.

The overall number of evacuees is now estimated at 3,500. About1,800 firefighters are fighting with the fire.

The blaze has forced the closure of the Yellowhead Highway one kilometer south of McLure and a ferry that transports residents across North Thompson River was also scheduled to close due to dense smoke.

Power was out in McLure and surrounding areas. At least 8,500 homes are without power in Barriere and its surrounding areas. A railway line has also been cut in the region.

Fire crews are being challenged by the hot weather conditions and the shifting winds. The cost of fighting the fires is pegged at 2.5 million Canadian dollars (about 1.8 million US dollars) perday.

Most evacuees are being met by Red Cross volunteers from Vancouver and other areas of the province. A new fire erupted on amountain in Barriere Friday.

"This is the worst situation we've had and the driest circumstances that we've measured in the last 50 years. In all likelihood British Columbians have never lived through a drier forest situation than we are living through this summer," Gordon Campbell, the premier of the province told reporters.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Taiwan Ties Mar Japan's China Interests: News Analysis ( 36 Messages)

Shortage of Electric Power, an Ordeal for China's Economy ( 4 Messages)

Using "E-mail" Concerns Chinese Purification & National Dignity? ( 22 Messages)

US, China Co-operate to Fight Taiwan Referendum Plan ( 3 Messages)

60 Chinese Senior Officials to Be Trained in Harvard University ( 3 Messages)