Firefighters report more progress against wildfires and wait for rain

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP):

Firefighters successfully prevented wildfires from destroying any more structures in a scenic region of British Columbia, the authorities said on Monday, as the prospect of rain raised hopes for the effort to contain the flames.

Fire Chief Jason Broland said fire crews made more progress in the West Kelowna area, known as a summer destination for families. He said the biggest challenge now is the region’s poor air quality, which he described as “choking”.

“Rain is in the forecast, and I am optimistic about that,” Broland said.

However, teams surveying damaged neighbourhoods found 50 buildings destroyed, Broland said.

“Undoubtedly, that number will grow higher, but it’s difficult to tell because some areas are the more rural or remote areas where the properties are further apart,” he said.

More than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) away, fire crews fought flames bearing down on Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. On Sunday, the fire remained about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city, which was left virtually empty after nearly all 20,000 residents fled for safety.

Canada has seen a record number of wildfires this year, with blazes chasing tens of thousands of people from their homes. The fires have also sent smoke into parts of the US.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the approval of British Columbia’s request for federal assistance.

“People are fleeing for their lives. They’re worried about their communities, and Canadians from coast to coast to coast are watching in horror the images of apocalyptic devastation,” Trudeau said on Monday at a news conference in Cornwall, on Prince Edward Island.

All told, there have been more than 5,800 fires, which have burned more than 150,000 square kilometres (58,000 square miles) from one end of Canada to the other, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

Brolund asked displaced residents to be patient until it is safe enough for them to return to their neighbourhoods.

“In many cases, your neighbourhoods and houses are covered with sprinklers, and those sprinklers are protecting your home. It means we can’t send you home,” he said.