{"id":102342,"date":"2024-07-26T07:53:08","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T07:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/26\/wildfires-rage-across-parts-of-us-and-canada-as-one-town-ravaged-by-wall-of-fire-forcing-thousands-to-evacuate\/"},"modified":"2024-07-26T07:53:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T07:53:09","slug":"wildfires-rage-across-parts-of-us-and-canada-as-one-town-ravaged-by-wall-of-fire-forcing-thousands-to-evacuate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/26\/wildfires-rage-across-parts-of-us-and-canada-as-one-town-ravaged-by-wall-of-fire-forcing-thousands-to-evacuate\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildfires rage across parts of US and Canada – as one town ravaged by ‘wall of fire’ forcing thousands to evacuate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wildfires have spread across parts of Canada and the US, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.<\/p>\n

In the Canadian Rockies town of Jasper in Alberta, officials warned of a “wall of fire” as flames reached 100m (328ft) high and spread three miles (5km) in less than 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

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\n Smoke rises from a wildfire in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Pic: Joe Oliver via Reuters
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Meanwhile, in California, a man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire near Chico after he allegedly pushed a burning car into a gully.<\/p>\n

Combined, the fires have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.<\/p>\n

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\n A burning house near Chico, California. Pic: Reuters
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‘The worst nightmare<\/strong>‘<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alberta is facing around 176 wildfires of which 50 are burning out of control, with Jasper among the worst-affected areas.<\/p>\n

The wildfires destroyed potentially 50% of the structures in the popular tourist town, as firefighters battled to save as many buildings as possible.<\/p>\n

Jasper draws in more than two million tourists a year and was evacuated on Monday, with officials estimating there were up to 10,000 people in the town and a further 15,000 visitors in the park.<\/p>\n

“There is no denying that this is the worst nightmare for any community,” Alberta premier Danielle Smith told reporters, while fighting back tears.<\/p>\n

“We’re seeing potentially 30% to 50% structural damage… that’s going to be a significant rebuild,” she said.<\/p>\n

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Alberta premier cries during wildfire update<\/span>
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As well as sending in emergency crews from across the country, Canada is also set to receive a total of 400 firefighters from Mexico, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the coming days.<\/p>\n

In April, the federal government warned a combination of high temperatures and dry forests could create tinderbox conditions for a potentially catastrophic year of wildfires.<\/p>\n

The fire in Jasper was caused by a lightning strike and fuelled by strong winds, according to Parks Canada.<\/p>\n

Flames in the blaze rose and strong winds on Wednesday pushed the fire several miles in less than half-an-hour, according to Alberta public safety and emergency services minister Mike Ellis.<\/p>\n

“Any firefighter will tell you there’s little to nothing you can do when you have a wall of flames coming at you like that,” he said.<\/p>\n

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\n A wildfire near Jasper, Alberta. Pic: AP
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‘A big, big problem’<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hundreds of miles away in California, a man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire.<\/p>\n

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said in a statement the suspect was detained after he was identified as the person seen pushing a flaming car into a gully on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The vehicle was allegedly responsible for triggering what is being called the Park Fire.<\/p>\n

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\n Firefighters battle the Park Fire in California. Pic: Reuters
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\n Horses are evacuated during the Park Fire. Pic: AP
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It spread overnight from about 1,400 acres (567 hectares) on Wednesday near Chico, California, to about 125,000 acres (50,585 hectares) on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The 42-year-old was detained by arson investigators and is set to appear in court on Monday.<\/p>\n

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\n Glow from the Park Fire is seen along Cohasset Road near Chico. Pic: Reuters
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\n An animal runs through the grass fleeing the Park Fire. Pic: AP
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As of Thursday afternoon, the Park Fire was only 3% contained officials said, but no injuries had been reported.<\/p>\n

More than 4,000 people were evacuated in Butte County and the city of Chico, said Megan McMann, a spokesperson for the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.<\/p>\n

Read more from Sky News:<\/strong>
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Partner and son of drug lord El Chapo arrested<\/a>
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Tim Fike, Forest Service incident commander at the Gold Complex, said strong winds were plaguing crews at the Park Fire, causing new spot fires up to a mile beyond the main fire lines.<\/p>\n

“That’s been a big, big problem on the Park Fire right now,” Mr Fike said.<\/p>\n

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\n The remains of a structure destroyed by the Park Fire. Pic: Reuters
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\n Firefighters watch for spot fires near Forest Ranch, California. Pic: Reuters
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The largest wildfire in the US is Oregon’s Durkee Fire which has burned almost 270,000 acres (109 hectares).<\/p>\n

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\n Smoke rises from a wildfire near Durkee, Oregon. Pic: Brett Brown\/USDA Forest Service via AP
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It has threatened multiple small towns, killed hundreds of cattle and destroyed ranch land, according to local media.<\/p>\n

The fire, about 100 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho, was 20% contained on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

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