Smoke blanketed the skies over much of Alberta on Wednesday as firefighters from Canada and the United States battled raging wildfires that have prompted evacuations, disrupted rail service and shuttered energy production in Canada's main oil-producing province.
Hot and dry conditions have triggered an intense start to wildfire season in Alberta. Authorities had lifted some evacuation orders on Tuesday, yet nearly 20,000 people have been forced out of their homes.
Of estimated May production volumes, about 60% are currently subject to extreme wildfire danger levels, with the remaining 40% subject to very high danger, Oslo-based Rystad said. Wildfire smoke has covered a large part of Western Canada. Air quality in places including Edmonton and Alberta has deteriorated to category 10+, the worst level on Environment Canada's Air Quality Health Index, indicating "very high risk."Winds, that have also carried smoke to neighboring provinces are expected to weaken Wednesday night, but any improvement in air quality will probably be temporary, said Jesse Wagar, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
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