Halifax, Canada experienced a devastating wildfire that prompted mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of homes, leaving residents unable to return until

authorized by local authorities. The evacuation measures, implemented on Sunday, affected areas including Hammonds Plains, Upper Tantallon, and Pockwock, which are situated approximately 15 miles from Halifax and are home to numerous city workers. Residents in nearby neighborhoods, surrounded by forests, endured a restless night filled with unease.

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage estimated that around 18,000 individuals were impacted by the evacuations. The severity of the situation caught the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who expressed his concern via Twitter, describing the wildfire in the province of Nova Scotia, where Halifax is located, as "incredibly serious." He assured that the government was ready to provide any necessary assistance.

Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency department addressed the ongoing fire in the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains area, emphasizing that it was still not under control. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, and no reports of casualties or injuries had been received at that point. Approximately 100 firefighters worked tirelessly overnight, and Meldrum acknowledged that emergency crews faced several days of arduous tasks ahead.

Due to the wildfire's impact, the city declared a state of local emergency, resulting in evacuations, power outages, and the closure of several schools in the affected regions. The wildfire, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, inflicted damage upon dozens of homes and hindered rescue operations. The state of emergency would remain in effect for seven days unless lifted or extended, according to municipal authorities.

The eastern Canadian city of Halifax was not the only region grappling with wildfires. Western provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia experienced an unusually warm spring, leading to several uncontrollable wildfires that disrupted oil and gas production. However, many of those fires have now been contained, allowing for the resumption of oil and gas operations.

In Alberta, the main oil-producing province, the intensity of one of the most challenging wildfire seasons in years has gradually subsided. As a result, oil and gas producers cautiously restarted production that had previously been temporarily halted. Crescent Point Energy reported the restoration of 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent of output, while Paramount Resources indicated the recovery of most of its curtailed production due to the fires. Photo by Mike Lewelling, National Park Service, Wikimedia commons.