Over 24,000 people evacuated from Alberta as wildfires rage

Over 24,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in the Canadian province of Alberta as unusually warm and dry weather has sparked more than 100 wildfires across the region, emergency officials said.

There were 103 wildfires raging across the province, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a news conference Saturday, declaring the blazes an “unprecedented crisis.”

“Much of Alberta has been experiencing a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires,” Smith said. 

“These conditions mean it is very easy for a wildfire to both start and spread quickly,” she continued.

The raging fires have burned more than 121,909 hectares (roughly 301,000 acres) in the province, and since late Friday morning, at least 45 new blazes started and 14 local states of emergency were declared, Smith said. 

“I want to assure everyone that our province has the right tools, the right technology and the right resources in place to tackle this challenge, and people will get the supports that they need,” Smith said. 

There have been at least 386 wildfires in Alberta this year, according to the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.