【】
我要评论As the Canadian wildfires that have already forced thousands to evacuate continue to grow, the world is getting its first glimpse of damage and destruction left behind near Fort McMurray, Alberta.
SEE ALSO:Destructive Canadian wildfire fueled in part by global warmingAccording to the BBC, the fire has now grown to over 200,000 acres and has forced even more evacuations.
Tweet may have been deleted
The Alberta government said Thursday that more than 1,100 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers were fighting a total of 49 wildfires, with seven considered out of control.
Miraculously, though, there have been no reported injuries or deaths so far related to the fires.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Unseasonably warm and dry temperatures this spring, as well as a below-average snow melt -- symptoms of climate change -- helped fuel the wildfires.
In general, wildfire season has gotten longer and burned hotter in much of the American West and Alaska, as well as the western provinces of Canada, as average temperatures have risen and snow melt has occurred earlier in the year.
Studies show these trends are linked to manmade global warming, although individual fires like the one on Tuesday are often triggered by arson, lightning and other causes.
Tweet may have been deleted
Ironically, Fort McMurray has been one of the biggest boom towns of Canada's Athabasca oil sands industry during the past decade. This oil, when burned, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, warming the planet and exacerbating wildfires in the process.
Dry conditions continued Thursday, helping to fuel the fire's growth.
A false-color image of the fires burning near Fort McMurray, Alberta captured by the Landsat 7 satelliteCredit: Joshua Stevens/NASA"Homes have been destroyed. Neighborhoods have gone up in flames. The footage we've seen of cars racing down highways while fire races on all sides is nothing short of terrifying," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament on Thursday, calling it "the largest fire evacuation in Alberta's history."
Additional reporting by Andrew Freedman and the Associated Press.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
相关文章
Dramatic photo captures nun texting friends after Italy earthquake
The image of an injured, bloodied nun, calmly texting friends and family in the wake of the deadly e2026-07-29
A vegan fried chicken shop opened because goodness exists in the world
LONDON -- Ah, fried chicken. It's greasy, it's fried, it's finger lickin' good. But it hasn't exactl2026-07-29
Supportive mom throws daughter a party for starting her period
For young girls, starting your period is a weird time. 。 Your body is doing new stuff, you feel gross2026-07-29Yes, Jude Law knows about your 'Young Pope' memes
Good news, meme-makers, The Young Pope 。's Jude Law is well aware of the exquisite internet mockery s2026-07-29Sound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac Efron
Is there anything Simone Biles can't do?The unstoppable gymnast just won her fifth medal of the Rio2026-07-29These 3 graphics explain 2016’s record warmth
Climate scientists around the world just announced that 2016 is the warmest year on record, beating2026-07-29
最新评论