Canadian Army Called in as Saskatchewan Fires Force 13,000 To Evacuate

"The Canadian military has been called in to help fight wildfires in the Western province of Saskatchewan, where 112 active fires have forced the evacuation of more than 13,000 people and threatened several remote towns on Monday.

The provincial government said more than 1,000 soldiers are on their way or already in the Prairie province, with some 600 to be trained as firefighters and on the front lines as early as Wednesday. The Canadian Armed Forces said up to 1,400 personnel could be sent.

Hot dry weather has fueled an extreme fire season in Saskatchewan, with nine new fires started in the past 24 hours, provincial fire center manager Scott Wasylenchuk said."

Andrea Hopkins reports for Reuters July 6, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Fast-Moving Idaho Wildfire Destroys Upscale Homes in Resort Area" (Reuters)

"The Deadlier Scourge of Wildfires in an Age of Climate Change" (InsideClimate News)

"Air Pollution Warning Expanded in Minnesota" (Associated Press)

"Washington's Wildfire Season Gets Off To An Early, Unprecedented Start" (Los Angeles Times)