Forest fires Firefighter killed while fighting forest fire in Canada

A firefighter has died while fighting a forest fire in Jasper National Park. The 24-year-old died on Saturday after being hit by a falling tree, police said late in the evening (local time).

The firefighter was from the city of Calgary, according to the police. Around 700 people, including numerous firefighters from abroad, are currently battling the flames in the national park in the western province of Alberta.

The fires, which were triggered by lightning strikes two weeks ago, are the most serious in Jasper National Park for a century. Almost 34,000 hectares have been destroyed so far, including part of the town of Jasper, which is popular with tourists. According to the authorities, it may be months before the fire is completely extinguished.

SDA