Canada’s military is preparing to evacuate about 600 residents of the remote community of Fort Hope in northwestern Ontario as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread.
Federal Emergencies Minister Eleanor Olszewski said military aircraft would airlift residents from the isolated community, which has limited road access. Thousands of people from other affected areas have already been relocated.
According to Canada’s natural resources ministry, 69 new wildfires were recorded overnight, bringing the nationwide total to 955. Nearly 28,500 square kilometres have been burned this season.
Smoke from the wildfires has also drifted into parts of the United States, triggering air quality alerts and health advisories across several states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Climate experts say rising temperatures have increased wildfire risks by leaving forests drier and more vulnerable to intense fires.
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Parts of western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, were classified as “very unhealthy,” although reports said that conditions would improve later in the day.
