Wildfires

A checkpoint set up by the Hawaii National Guard is pictured on Kaniau Road, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Kaniau Road of Zone 1C will be the first zone to be cleared for residents to reenter, starting Monday, Sep. 25, following Maui’s deadly wildfire. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

Lahaina residents begin returning to sites of homes destroyed by deadly wildfire

Some Lahaina residents returned to their devastated properties Monday for the first…

 

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, left, and B.C. Premier David Eby walk together as they arrive for a meeting at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District offices, in Salmon Arm, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Ma says the province will soon be ready to introduce new laws to govern responses to increasingly frequent natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New B.C. disaster preparation, response and recovery laws coming soon

Union of B.C. Municipalities told changes needed as disasters become more frequent

 

Small spot fires continued to flare up alongside Northwest Territories highways leading into Hay River, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

Hay River wildfire evacuees return home after month away

Changed landscape made drive home an emotional one for displaced Northwest Territories residents

 

It remains unclear when residents in the Northwest Territories’ South Slave region will be allowed to return home, but officials are set to open pre-registration for re-entry flights in anticipation. Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

N.W.T. return flight registration underway, no return date set

Communities of Hay River, Enterprise and K’atl’odeeche First Nation still under evacuation order

It remains unclear when residents in the Northwest Territories’ South Slave region will be allowed to return home, but officials are set to open pre-registration for re-entry flights in anticipation. Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Thousands of Yellowknife residents have returned home this week as a wildfire evacuation order was lifted. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

As 1,000s return to Yellowknife, other NWT residents await their turn

Fires continue to keep people away from other communities like Hay River and Fort Smith

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Thousands of Yellowknife residents have returned home this week as a wildfire evacuation order was lifted. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski
The latest federal government forecast says Canada’s already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Feds say wildfire season could last throughout Canadian fall

Ottawa looking at new disaster response options in wake of wildfires and other threats

The latest federal government forecast says Canada’s already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Volunteers prepare to hand out packed lunches to people lining up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Three weeks later, residents are returning to the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Welcome home’ sign out for Yellowknife residents after 3 weeks away

Evacuation order for the wildfire-threatened town has been lifted

Volunteers prepare to hand out packed lunches to people lining up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Three weeks later, residents are returning to the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vehicles line up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Thousands of vehicles are expected to travel to Yellowknife in the coming days as a three-week evacuation order is set to lift at noon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Yellowknife post-wildfire migration home gets underway today

Evacuation order in place since Aug. 16 scheduled to lift at noon Sept. 6

Vehicles line up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Thousands of vehicles are expected to travel to Yellowknife in the coming days as a three-week evacuation order is set to lift at noon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
<div>Officials in Yellowknife, as well as staff with the Northwest Territories, are getting ready for the start of a mass migration home of wildfire evacuees that’s still on track for Wednesday. Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden</div>

Yellowknifers ready to return home as evacuation order set to lift

Essential workers are headong back early to be ready for everyone else starting Wednesday, Sept. 6

<div>Officials in Yellowknife, as well as staff with the Northwest Territories, are getting ready for the start of a mass migration home of wildfire evacuees that’s still on track for Wednesday. Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden</div>
A helicopter drops water over a woodland during a wildfire in the suburb of Stamata, in northern Athens, Greece, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Wildfires are common in Greece and other southern European countries during their hot, dry summers as dozens of fires have been breaking out each day across the country for weeks. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Floodwaters follow as fires as climate continues to batter Greece

One dead and another missing as torrential rainfall strikes centre of the country

A helicopter drops water over a woodland during a wildfire in the suburb of Stamata, in northern Athens, Greece, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Wildfires are common in Greece and other southern European countries during their hot, dry summers as dozens of fires have been breaking out each day across the country for weeks. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane, speaks on the wildfire situation after visiting evacuees in Edmonton Alberta, on Wednesday August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.

With wildfire at Hay River’s doorstep, weather taking a bad turn

Northwest Territories preparing to ‘stand tall’ in critical juncture for severe situation

Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane, speaks on the wildfire situation after visiting evacuees in Edmonton Alberta, on Wednesday August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
FILE - Volunteers make food, bottle water and supply deliveries to elderly residents impacted by a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 19, 2023. Residents of Maui are eager to learn when they can expect safe drinking water to be restored in the wake of last month’s catastrophic wildfires, but extensive testing is still needed and officials are urging patience. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Hawaii wildfires leave water warnings, much uncertainty in their wake

Safety and and day-to-day life questions could remain unanswered for quite some time

FILE - Volunteers make food, bottle water and supply deliveries to elderly residents impacted by a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 19, 2023. Residents of Maui are eager to learn when they can expect safe drinking water to be restored in the wake of last month’s catastrophic wildfires, but extensive testing is still needed and officials are urging patience. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Dwayne Johnson attends the world premiere of “Black Adam” in New York on Oct. 12, 2022, left, and Oprah Winfrey appears at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans on June 30, 2023. Johnson and Winfrey have committed $10 million to make direct payments to people on Maui who are unable to return to their homes because of the wildfires. (AP Photo)

Oprah, The Rock jumpstart Hawaii wildfire relief with $10M donation

People’s Fund of Maui will give $1,200 a month to adults not able to return to their residence

Dwayne Johnson attends the world premiere of “Black Adam” in New York on Oct. 12, 2022, left, and Oprah Winfrey appears at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans on June 30, 2023. Johnson and Winfrey have committed $10 million to make direct payments to people on Maui who are unable to return to their homes because of the wildfires. (AP Photo)
A state of emergency in the Northwest Territories has been extended until Sept. 11. The road is closed north to Yellowknife from Fort Providence, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Northwest Territories extend State of Emergency another 2 weeks

Premier Caroline Cochrane tours Edmonton evacuation centre

A state of emergency in the Northwest Territories has been extended until Sept. 11. The road is closed north to Yellowknife from Fort Providence, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The Northwest Territories legislature is to meet later Monday to discuss delaying a territorial election scheduled for October because of wildfires. Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane participates in an availability after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not shown, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Northwest Territories wildfires extinguish planned October election

With about 70 per cent of the population under evacuation orders, vote postponed a month

The Northwest Territories legislature is to meet later Monday to discuss delaying a territorial election scheduled for October because of wildfires. Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane participates in an availability after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not shown, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Vehicles line up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Fire-weary Northwest Territories is preparing for tens of thousands of people to return home after a much-needed win in the battle against a blaze that was threatening Yellowknife. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Yellowknife wildfire held, plans underway for evacuation lift

Cooler temperatures, small amount of rain helps, but city still not considered safe

Vehicles line up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Fire-weary Northwest Territories is preparing for tens of thousands of people to return home after a much-needed win in the battle against a blaze that was threatening Yellowknife. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
FILE - A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby and become the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Hawaii power utility takes responsibility for first fire on Maui

Hawaiian Electric called complaint made in a county lawsuit ‘factually and legally irresponsible’

FILE - A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby and become the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
<div>With climate change expected to worsen wildfires in the future, some firefighters say gruelling labour conditions and associated mental health challenges are taking a toll on the workforce. Firefighters wait to pass through an RCMP roadblock as the McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Firefighters battle many challenges tied to deadly wilderness blazes

Burnout an issue, as mental health, labour struggles common on wildfire front lines

<div>With climate change expected to worsen wildfires in the future, some firefighters say gruelling labour conditions and associated mental health challenges are taking a toll on the workforce. Firefighters wait to pass through an RCMP roadblock as the McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
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)