Ontario to assist with Alberta wildfires

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have sent 45 firefighting personnel to assist with fighting the more than 100 wildfires across Alberta.

The province has been experiencing abnormally hot and dry weather with high winds, which has caused wildfires to kindle and spread at an alarming rate.

So far the fires have burned 121,909 hectares of land since Friday, with at least 45 new fires being started and 14 local states of emergency issued. Almost 25,000 residents have been evacuated.

An Ontario Fire Information Officer, Alison Bezubiak, says a majority of the fire rangers sent to Alberta were stationed from across the province – including the Northwest region.

Meanwhile in Northwestern Ontario, there is currently one active wildfire located northwest of Kenora, which is listed as “under control” at 0.3 hectares. Currently the region’s Fire Hazard Rating is low.