Province canadian of Nova Scotia on Wednesday asked for help from the military and the United States to fight the huge fires that have hit the east of the country, including one that has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
“We are going through a crisis in the province and we want, need and will accept all the support we can get,” said Tim Houston, premier of the province located on the Atlantic coast, during a press conference.
“These fires are unprecedented,” he added.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the situation grim and pledged unwavering support, saying help was on the way.
These fires come after the numerous wildfires that devastated the province of Alberta, in Western Canada, in May, devastating hundreds of thousands of hectares.
“People are tired, frustrated and scared,” said Mike Savage, the mayor of the provincial capital, Halifax, where more than 16,000 townspeople in the northwest have already been evacuated.
As of Wednesday, 14 wildfires were active in Nova Scotia, three of which are considered out of control.
About 200 homes and infrastructure were destroyed, but no injuries were reported.
Additional water hoses, state firefighters, a dozen water bombers sent from nearby areas and the Coast Guard worked together to put out the blaze.
Smoke from the fires that ravaged the province three days ago has reached the Atlantic coast of the United States, causing air pollution spikes in the state of New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania.
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