Wildfire Warning & Risk In Alberta and BC

Uncontrollable wildfires have been blazing across western Canada's provinces for the past few weeks, severely affecting Alberta and British Columbia. According to Environmental and Climate Change Canada, there are several health complications as a result of these wildfires, "ranging from sore and watery eyes to coughing, dizziness, chest pains and heart palpitations." Alberta "has declared a state of emergency." Additionally, while no fatalities have been announced, firefighter Frankie Payou (who is also a father of three) was in critical condition in a coma after a burning tree stuck him in the head. The vast majority of the fires are occuring in the province's far north, where most Indigenous communities reside, and thus, this disaster is devastating for those whose livelihoods depend on the land and its resources. The impact of the fires' human toll is anticipated to last for a few more weeks, with some evacuees still experiencing extreme shock. Nonetheless, while this devastation is being actively reported on, the fires have also helped unite the nation, “with volunteers, firefighters and army reservists from other provinces rushing in to lend a hand.”