Fires in the far north of Canada intensified this Saturday (26), fueled by wind and high temperatures, forcing the total evacuation of another town in the Northwest Territories.

The risk in Hay River, a town of about 4,000, is so great that even firefighters and essential workers have been ordered to leave the area, authorities said.

The local government ordered all city residents to go to the nearby airport and wait for instructions.

“Anyone who remains in Hay River does so at their own risk. There will be no emergency services or response available,” they warned in a statement.

To date, about two-thirds of the total population of the Northwest Territories – a vast but sparsely populated region – have been evacuated to neighboring provinces, sometimes 2,000 kilometers away.

“Extreme southwest winds pushed the fire towards the town along the road, forcing crews and aircraft to withdraw and regroup at a safe distance,” said regional fire minister Shane Thompson. Environment, describing the situation as “very serious”.

Authorities also confirmed that firefighters are battling flames that stretch several kilometers in length.

Canada is facing its worst wildfire season on record, with much of the country hit by high temperatures and severe drought.

In total, 200,000 people were evacuated and four died. Furthermore, 15 million hectares have been devastated, a figure more than double the previous record, and which could increase given that the season is not yet over.

Experts say global warming has worsened conditions for wildfires.