Wildfires

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and N.W.T. premier Caroline Cochrane meet in Edmonton, Alberta on Saturday, August 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

NWT premier: Trudeau made ‘specific commitments’ for better support

Caroline Cochrane earlier expressed anger northerners don’t get same services as other Canadians

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and N.W.T. premier Caroline Cochrane meet in Edmonton, Alberta on Saturday, August 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Utility poles stand in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 16, 2023. When the winds of Hurricane Dora lashed Maui Aug. 8, they struck bare electrical lines the Hawaiian electric utility had left exposed to the elements. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Maui wildfires: Bare electrical wire, poles were little match for strong winds

Hawaiian Electric said it has ‘long recognized the unique threats’ from climate change

Utility poles stand in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 16, 2023. When the winds of Hurricane Dora lashed Maui Aug. 8, they struck bare electrical lines the Hawaiian electric utility had left exposed to the elements. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Workers of the electric company replace a utility pole after a wildfire in the Fyli suburb, northwest Athens, Greece, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Authorities battling a major wildfire in northeastern Greece that has been described as the European Union’s largest single fire recorded have recovered another body, the fire department says, bringing the total death toll of wildfires in Greece this week to 21. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)

2 arrested for arson as multiple wildfires continue to burn across Greece

Officials have blamed arson for several fires in Greece over the past week

Workers of the electric company replace a utility pole after a wildfire in the Fyli suburb, northwest Athens, Greece, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Authorities battling a major wildfire in northeastern Greece that has been described as the European Union’s largest single fire recorded have recovered another body, the fire department says, bringing the total death toll of wildfires in Greece this week to 21. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is warning about the risks of fires going unnoticed on locomotives, citing dozens of blazes in a report into an incident that triggered a wildfire two years ago in southeast British Columbia. A Canadian Pacific freight train travels on tracks covered with fire retardant in an area burned by wildfire above the Thompson River near Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Transportation Safety Board warns unnoticed locomotive fires pose wildfire risk

Board says freight locomotives aren’t equipped with real-time sensors to detect fires

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is warning about the risks of fires going unnoticed on locomotives, citing dozens of blazes in a report into an incident that triggered a wildfire two years ago in southeast British Columbia. A Canadian Pacific freight train travels on tracks covered with fire retardant in an area burned by wildfire above the Thompson River near Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A general view shows the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through the Maui community of Lahaina, authorities say anywhere between 500 and 1,000 people remain unaccounted for. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Maui County sues utility, alleging negligence in fires that ravaged Lahaina

‘Severe and catastrophic losses … could have easily been prevented’

A general view shows the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through the Maui community of Lahaina, authorities say anywhere between 500 and 1,000 people remain unaccounted for. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadians unified on forest protection, cause of wildfire jump divisive: poll

‘That is deeply concerning and it does reflect widespread disinformation on climate issues’

Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Caroline Wawzonek walk to a press conference to speaks on the wildfires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories after visiting evacuees in Edmonton, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘Astronomical costs’: N.W.T. politicians ponder next steps in wildfire crisis

More than 2/3rds of the 45,000-plus N.W.T. residents are living in evacuation centres and hotels

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Caroline Wawzonek walk to a press conference to speaks on the wildfires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories after visiting evacuees in Edmonton, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Nearly 900 seniors have been forced out of care facilities in a wildfire-ravaged region of British Columbia while the province has joined Alberta in receiving medical evacuees from the Northwest Territories, from where thousands of residents have escaped dangerous conditions. A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfires displace patients in B.C. long-term care homes, N.W.T. hospitals

About 900 seniors moved in B.C., dozens also transported out of the Northwest Territories

Nearly 900 seniors have been forced out of care facilities in a wildfire-ravaged region of British Columbia while the province has joined Alberta in receiving medical evacuees from the Northwest Territories, from where thousands of residents have escaped dangerous conditions. A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

Yellowknife mayor says city too unsafe for residents to return

Assurances of public safety and essential service operations must be in place first: Rebecca Alty

Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Caroline Wawzonek walk to a press conference to speaks on the wildfires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories after visiting evacuees in Edmonton, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Checkpoints to block return attempts, N.W.T. official warns wildfire evacuees

Emergency management has concerns about people attempting to return to Fort Smith

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Caroline Wawzonek walk to a press conference to speaks on the wildfires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories after visiting evacuees in Edmonton, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
People react as they try to extinguish a wildfire in Avantas village, near Alexandroupolis town, in the northeastern Evros region, Greece, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Gale-force winds are fanning the flames of wildfires across Greece, including 53 new blazes that broke out early Monday amid hot, dry and windy weather that has sucked moisture from vegetation. (AP Photo/Achilleas Chiras)

Greek firefighters find 18 bodies in an area struck by a major wildfire

Multiple wildfires burning in Europe’s second-worst year for wildfire damage on record

People react as they try to extinguish a wildfire in Avantas village, near Alexandroupolis town, in the northeastern Evros region, Greece, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Gale-force winds are fanning the flames of wildfires across Greece, including 53 new blazes that broke out early Monday amid hot, dry and windy weather that has sucked moisture from vegetation. (AP Photo/Achilleas Chiras)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes a statement about the wildfires in Western Canada in Charlottetown, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The Liberal cabinet is in Prince Edward Island’s capital this week for a retreat as it gets ready for the next sitting of the Parliament. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis

National wildfire incident response group meets ahead of cabinet retreat

More than 50,000 in B.C., NWT facing evacuation orders

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes a statement about the wildfires in Western Canada in Charlottetown, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The Liberal cabinet is in Prince Edward Island’s capital this week for a retreat as it gets ready for the next sitting of the Parliament. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis
A wildfire burns south of Enterprise, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Wildfire fight switches from defence to offence near Yellowknife

Teams putting out fire right on perimeter as fight continues near capital of Northwest Territories

A wildfire burns south of Enterprise, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canadian Armed Forces soldiers construct a firebreak in Parker Recreation Field in Yellowknife to help fight wildfires on Wednesday, Aug.16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Armed Forces-Master Cpl. Alana Morin

Another company of soldiers deployed to N.W.T to help with wildfire fight

Company being deployed to Hay River, bringing to 400 total number helping fight NWT blazes

Canadian Armed Forces soldiers construct a firebreak in Parker Recreation Field in Yellowknife to help fight wildfires on Wednesday, Aug.16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Armed Forces-Master Cpl. Alana Morin
Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane listens during a news conference after a meeting of Western Premiers in Whistler, B.C. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Cochrane was a social worker before entering politics, so when the territory’s capital ordered everyone to leave last week due to encroaching wildfires, she said she checked to make sure homeless people weren’t forgotten. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Premier recounts hunt for homeless during Yellowknife evacuation

Caroline Cochrane was a social worker before politics

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane listens during a news conference after a meeting of Western Premiers in Whistler, B.C. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Cochrane was a social worker before entering politics, so when the territory’s capital ordered everyone to leave last week due to encroaching wildfires, she said she checked to make sure homeless people weren’t forgotten. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Properties destroyed in the West Maui Wildfire are seen near Front Street in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Emergency services chief on Maui resigns

Herman Andaya faced criticism for not activating sirens during fire, said he had no regrets

Properties destroyed in the West Maui Wildfire are seen near Front Street in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Evacuees from Yellowknife, territorial capital of the Northwest Territories, are greeted with the Aurora Borealis as they arrive to a free campsite provided by the community in High Level, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

‘Ghost town’: thousands continue to flee Yellowknife as wildfires loom

’There is no looting, your homes are safe, you’ve gotta lock up and head out of town’

Evacuees from Yellowknife, territorial capital of the Northwest Territories, are greeted with the Aurora Borealis as they arrive to a free campsite provided by the community in High Level, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)

NO FLIGHTS: Okanagan wildfires shut down Kelowna airport

‘Priority is safety of our community and access to the airspace required by aerial firefighters’

Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)
Vehicles line-up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Remaining Yellowknifers urged to get out as sprinklers, fire guards set up

Another 22 evacuation flights are scheduled today, fire is about 15 kilometres from the city

Vehicles line-up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
People without vehicles line up to register for a flight to Calgary in Yellowknife on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

Convoys, airport lineups: Yellowknife residents leave city as fire creeps closer

Convoys organized amid concerns flames could push toward Highway 3, the main evacuation route

People without vehicles line up to register for a flight to Calgary in Yellowknife on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden