Fire experts and officials in western Canada issued warnings on Monday as an intense wildfire approached a town, driven by strong winds.

The out-of-control blaze, situated 2 kilometers northwest of Fort Nelson, has prompted the evacuation of over 3,000 people since Friday.

With concerns that the fire could advance into the town, emergency crews are preparing for a potential last stand.

Less than 100 people remain in Fort Nelson, with authorities urging them to leave due to compromised escape routes and poor visibility.

The wildfire, exacerbated by years of drought and low snowpack, poses a threat to firefighters battling nearby blazes, the Associated Press reported.

Resources like water and electricity may become scarce as they’re redirected to support firefighting efforts.

The situation echoes Canada’s record wildfire season in 2023, which saw hundreds of thousands evacuated and adverse air quality as far as Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Additional accommodations are being set up to aid evacuees, as wildfires continue to menace communities across provinces like Alberta and Manitoba, prompting further evacuations and readiness alerts.

Written by B.C. Begley