Raging Canada fires now threaten second province - official

Wildfires that ravaged a vast area of western Canada's Alberta province now are threatening a neighboring region, authorities said Sunday, as the inferno -- which doubled in sized in the space of a day -- continued its advance.

The ruthless blaze, fanned by high winds and fueled by tinder-dry conditions, devastated the region around the city of Fort McMurray, and could now spread to neighboring Saskatchewan province some 35 miles (60 kilometers) away.

Chad Morrisson, senior wildfire manager for Alberta, said unless the region receives at least four inches (10 centimeters) of rain, "we expect to be out fighting the fire in the forested area for months to come."

He said: "That's not uncommon with such large wildfires," adding that the blaze was moving toward Saskatchewan.

Even as fellow Canadians rally to provide them succor and support, thousands of evacuees who fled the fire are coming to grips with the likelihood that they will be unable to see their homes anytime soon -- assuming the dwellings are still standing at all.

Hundreds of firefighters, exhausted and demoralized after days vainly battling a blaze they grimly refer to as "the beast," acknowledged that they will probably have to wait for the fire to burn itself out...
  [i24news.tv by AFP]
8/5/16
--
-
Related:

• Canadian wildfire grows tenfold in size

  • Canada steps up efforts to battle Alberta wildfire 

  • Alberta wildfire: Emergency declared in Fort McMurray...