World News

Photos: Hundreds of wildfires blaze throughout Canada

"Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning — 239 of which are determined to be out of control," according to Canada's minister of emergency preparedness, Bill Blair.

Hundreds of wildfires continued to burn throughout Canada on Wednesday, burning millions of acres and forcing thousands to be evacuated. Communications Nova Scotia/The Canadian Press via AP

By Eli Curwin

June 7, 2023

More than 400 wildfires continued to burn across Canada on Wednesday, burning over 9 million acres of land and forcing tens of thousands to be evacuated, according to officials.

Canada’s wildfire season has ravaged the country, with 414 active wildfires — 239 determined to be out of control — causing the evacuation of 20,183 people, the burning of 9.6 million acres, road closures, telecommunication interruptions, and threats to high voltage power lines, Canada’s minister of emergency preparedness, Bill Blair, said in a Wednesday press conference.

“I want to assure Canadians that all orders of government are working closely together, including with our indigenous partners, to ensure a coordinated and effective response,” he said. “It’s all hands on deck, and it’s around the clock.”

Smoke from the wildfires has travelled into the U.S, blanketing skies in haze and smog and prompting East Coast and Midwest states to issue air quality warnings.