Canada Wildfires Threaten Vancouver, Squamish Evacuation Standby

A five-storey supportive housing building in downtown Vancouver was evacuated after a fire, worsened by hoarding and a faulty sprinkler system, sent two people to hospital with smoke inhalation. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in Squamish, British Columbia, just north of Vancouver, as a rapidly growing Dryden Creek wildfire threatens the area, prompting evacuation alerts for over 100 properties. Residents expressed shock at the fire's proximity and are preparing to evacuate on short notice, with firefighting efforts including crews on the ground and air support. Experts note that coastal areas like Squamish, which historically did not experience wildfires, are increasingly vulnerable to such blazes, reflecting a broader trend in Canada's worsening fire season. Across Canada, more than 220 active fires are burning, with over 3.3 million hectares already consumed, an area comparable to the size of Belgium, and smoke from these fires has even reached Europe. The situation highlights the urgent challenges faced by communities near Vancouver amid an intense and expanding wildfire season.