“There is finally a ray of hope,” West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Broland said today during a press conference on Sunday’s progress in the Lake Okanagan region, known as a summer destination for families.

Jason Borland pointed out that the weather helped fight the flames, adding that crews were able to implement more traditional firefighting techniques, such as fire suppression.

More than 2,000 kilometers away, firefighters battled flames in Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories.

The blaze was about 15 kilometers from the town, which was left virtually empty after nearly all of its 20,000 residents fled their homes for safety.

Canada has seen a record number of wildfires this year, which have also carried smoke to parts of the United States and Europe, including Portugal.

Hundreds of fires continue to rage across British Columbia and 35,000 people received evacuation orders on Sunday.

“It’s always very dynamic. There are still parts of this fire that we just haven’t prioritized,” said Jerrad Schroeder, chief of the British Columbia Wildfire Service.

Jason Borland also said “many can go back to nothing” when the displaced are allowed to return home.

“Some have lost their homes. There is no doubt about it. There are many backyards where the fire has reached your patio furniture. And it stopped there because of the work of the 500 people fighting on the ground,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the approval of British Columbia’s request for federal aid.

“We will stay here with all the necessary support,” he guaranteed, in a message via the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Authorities in Yellowknife said they were working to establish lines of defense against wildfires around the city, creating firebreaks and sending planes to drop fire retardants.

Shane Thompson, the provincial environment minister, said: ‘The fire is unlikely to reach the outskirts of the community today or tomorrow. [terça-feira]”.

DMC // PJA

By Impala News / Lusa

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