Canada wildfires: Second firefighter dies amid record blazes

A 2nd firefighter has been killed successful Canada arsenic the state battles its worst play of wildfires connected record.

The person, who has not yet been named, died from injuries sustained portion warring a occurrence adjacent Fort Liard successful the Northwest Territories connected Saturday.

It comes conscionable days aft 19-year-old Devyn Gale was killed portion moving successful neighbouring British Columbia.

Nearly 900 wildfires are presently burning crossed Canada, astir 580 of which stay retired of control.

The fig is higher than for immoderate erstwhile twelvemonth connected grounds and much than 3 times the mean for the erstwhile 10 years.

Paying tribute, Caroline Cochrane, premier of the Northwest Territories, said the decease of a 2nd firefighter successful a substance of days was a "tragic nonaccomplishment for the full territory".

"I widen my heartfelt condolences to their family, friends and colleagues," she said.

"The bravery and selflessness of our firefighters is an unthinkable acquisition to america all. Thank you for your work to our territory and to our country."

Ms Gale's decease was the archetypal decease connected the crushed since the commencement of Canada's wildfire play - and reportedly the archetypal successful British Columbia since 2015.

In the aftermath, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians "must ne'er hide the risks these heroes instrumentality each clip they tally toward the danger".

"To firefighters... crossed the state who are doing conscionable that to support america safe: Thank you. We are inspired by your courage, and grateful for your service," helium said.

Climate alteration increases the hazard of the hot, adust upwind that is apt to substance wildfires. The satellite has already warmed by astir 1.1C since the concern epoch began and temperatures volition support rising unless governments astir the satellite marque steep cuts to emissions.

Canada is estimated to beryllium warming twice arsenic fast arsenic the remainder of the satellite and successful caller years has seen utmost upwind events of expanding frequence and intensity.

The wildfires person besides sparked contamination alerts crossed North America arsenic fume is blown southbound on the continent's eastbound coast.