Wildfires

Wildfires - Canada - Alberta - Update

The massive wildfire that forced almost 100,000 people to evacuate in Alberta is growing and approaching the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan, Canadian officials said.

Dry and extremely windy conditions are fuelling the blaze, which has scorched more than 1,560 square kilometres (602 square miles) and ravaged the city of Fort McMurray.

Alberta is "tinder dry," although there was a possibility of a drop in temperature and a slight chance of rain early next week.

A downpour is needed to tame the fire that is the size of Hong Kong and almost 25% bigger than New York City. It has displaced about 88,000 people, wiped out at least 1,600 structures and sent plumes of smoke as far away as Iowa. The fire may double in size.

Wildfires - Manitoba-Ontario Border - Canada

Wildfires burning along the Manitoba-Ontario border are growing worse, putting those who own homes and cottages in the area on edge.

As of Friday, the fire burning in Manitoba's Nopiming Provincial Park near Beresford Lake grew to 13,000 hectares. There, 25 people were forced to flee the area along with six others in remote cottages.

At last word, a second fire burning near the province's Caddy Lake was covering 700 hectares.