Town prepares for possible 'last stand' as wildfires rage in Western Canada
This photo provided by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship shows a wildfire, Aurora Borealis overhead, near Fort Nelson, British Columbia Saturday, May 11, 2024. An intense wildfire could hit a town in western Canada on Monday, based on forecasts of strong winds that have been fueling the out-of-control blaze which has already forced the evacuation of thousands, fire experts and officials warned. (Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship/The Canadian Press via AP)
FORT NELSON, British Columbia (AP) — An intense wildfire could reach a town in western Canada on Monday, fire experts and officials warned, based on forecasts of strong winds that have fueled the out-of-control blaze which has forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze was burning 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest of Fort Nelson. More than 3,000 people have evacuated after an order was issued on Friday.
Fire crews and emergency workers were preparing for a "last stand" if the fire advances into the town, said Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality based in Fort Nelson. Fraser said less than 100 people remained in town. The wildfire service encouraged those left to leave.
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