Latest news More than 800 fires rage in Canada

Hundreds of forest fires are currently raging in Canada. According to the responsible authority CIFFC (Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center), there are over 800 active fires - 223 of which are out of control. The Jasper National Park in the west of the country, which is popular with tourists, is also affected by the flames. It has been burning there for weeks.

Due to the forest fire activity, the national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is currently closed to visitors, according to the park's website. All camping reservations until September 3 have been canceled. An area of more than 33,000 hectares is affected by the fires.

Apocalyptic feelings

Following an evacuation order, residents were able to return to the eponymous town of Jasper last Friday, as reported by the Canadian news agency Canadian Press. Almost a third of the town's structure had been destroyed by the fires.

Photos showed how entire residential areas fell victim to the flames. Burnt-out cars and charred trees could be seen next to the ruins of houses. "You feel like you're part of an apocalypse or a war zone," one resident was quoted as saying.

Last year, Canada was hit by forest fires on an unprecedented scale. In view of climate change, experts are warning that fires are becoming more frequent and more destructive.

SDA