8.63°C Vancouver

May 12, 2023 8:41 PM - The Canadian Press

300 troops being deployed to fight Alberta wildfires, over $2M paid to evacuees

Share On
300-troops-being-deployed-to-fight-alberta-wildfires-over-2m-paid-to-evacuees
A total of 433 wildfires have burned more than 410,000 hectares so far this year.

About 200 soldiers from the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to help fight fires in Alberta, and 100 more will arrive in the province this weekend.

The Minister of Public Safety of the state, Mike Ellis, gave this information.

He said that members of the military are joining firefighters in the fight to control the wildfires in Grand Prairie, Fox Creek and Drayton Valley.

Ellis said that the state government has paid about two million dollars in emergency payments to more than 6,500 victims of wildfires.

At present, around 16,000 people are out of their homes.

Initially, this number reached a peak of 31,000.

At the same time, forest fires are active in 74 places in the state and the situation is out of control in 20 places.

A total of 433 wildfires have burned more than 410,000 hectares so far this year.

Indigenous communities are the most affected by this.

In many places, the situation is not yet clear as to when the residents will be able to return home safely.

Alberta residents who need help can call the government's helpline at 310-4455.

Latest news

BCFeb 02, 2026

B.C. Rental Protection Fund surpasses goal, secures nearly 2,200 homes

More than 2,000 homes in British Columbia are now protected under the province’s Rental Protection Fund, giving thousands of renters greater housing stability and access to affordable rents. Launched in 2023 with a $500-million provincial investment, the fund works with non-profit housing providers to purchase rental buildings at risk of being sold to the private market. This approach helps ensure tenants can remain in their homes and communities without facing sudden rent increases or evictions. The fund originally aimed to secure 2,000 homes over three years. That target has been exceeded
nanaimo-rcmp-arrest-man-following-break-in-on-waterfront-vessel
BCFeb 02, 2026

Nanaimo RCMP arrest man following break‑in on waterfront vessel

Nanaimo RCMP have arrested an adult man after a series of incidents that began with an attempted theft at a Port Place Mall grocery store and ended with an alleged break‑and‑enter on a privately owned vessel along the city’s waterfront. Police say the situation began around 2:45 PM at Thrifty Foods, where staff reported a man tried to leave the store with unpaid items. When confronted by store security, the suspect allegedly threatened a Loss Prevention Officer. Shortly afterward, the same individual was observed boarding a tugboat moored nearby. Officers who responded reported that he b
prince-george-rcmp-investigate-early-morning-shooting-on-ahbau-street
BCFeb 02, 2026

Prince George RCMP Investigate Early-Morning Shooting on Ahbau Street

Prince George RCMP are investigating a shooting that took place shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, on the 600-block of Ahbau Street. Officers responding to the scene confirmed that no residents were injured during the incident. The early stages of the investigation suggest the shooting was targeted, and authorities say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Ahbau Street was temporarily closed while officers conducted their initial work but has since been reopened. Cst. Jenna Moore, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP, urged anyone who witnessed the incident or noti
trump-signals-tariff-cut-for-india-after-pledge-to-halt-russian-oil-imports
WorldFeb 02, 2026

Trump signals tariff cut for India after pledge to halt Russian oil imports

U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration plans to lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, down from the current 25 per cent, after India agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia. The announcement follows months of pressure from Washington urging New Delhi to reduce its reliance on discounted Russian crude amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. India has been one of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, taking advantage of lower prices as many Western countries moved to restrict energy trade with Russia. The issue has been a
pakistan-says-145-militants-killed-in-security-crackdown-after-deadly-balochistan-attacks
WorldFeb 02, 2026

Pakistan says 145 militants killed in security crackdown after deadly Balochistan attacks

Pakistan’s security forces say they have killed about 145 militants in a series of counter-operations across the southwestern province of Balochistan, following coordinated attacks that left around 50 people dead. The provincial government says the operations were launched shortly after the assaults, which targeted multiple locations early Saturday. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the army and police responded swiftly after the attacks, which were later claimed by the banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army. He stated that those killed in the security operation were

Related News