The unprecedented wildfires in Nova Scotia, Canada’s Atlantic Coast province, continued to intensify on Thursday, resulting in the evacuation of additional hundreds of people and triggering air quality warnings in regions as far south as Virginia and Maryland in the United States.

At present, four wildfires in the province remain out of control, the Associated Press reported.

The largest among them, the Barrington Lake fire in Shelburne County, has expanded to over 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) despite relentless efforts from a fleet of water bombers and air tankers dousing it with water and fire retardant.

Another smaller fire, which ignited on Wednesday, swiftly necessitated evacuations south of Shelburne, a town with a population of 1,300.

Within a few hours, Roseway Hospital in the vicinity was evacuated, and residents prepared themselves for departure.

Dave Rockwood, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources, acknowledged the rapid progression of the fire due to high winds, low humidity, and soaring temperatures during a briefing on Thursday.

He emphasized the vigorous and immediate response to combat the blaze, stating, “We are hitting it very hard and fast.”

Written by staff