Dramatic footage reveals a Canadian freight train engulfed by roaring wildfire flames, as crew members urgently call for emergency assistance, stating they are “caught up” in the inferno.
“They could overtake us here. It’s getting a little scary,” a crew member exclaimed as the train sped past blazing trees in Armstrong, Ontario.
Over 100 wildfires are currently raging in the region, posing threats to several communities in Northwestern Ontario. In Toronto, thick smoke enveloped the city, leading to hazardous air quality and hazy skies upon waking.
Concerns are mounting about smoke potentially drifting into U.S. cities, including New Jersey, just ahead of the Sunday World Cup final.
Canadian Railways confirmed that all workers trapped near Armstrong were safely rescued, with operations in the area temporarily halted.
However, no further details regarding the rescue operation have been provided.
Currently, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center reports that there are 838 wildfires actively burning across Canada.
Grand Council Chief Linda Debasidge stated that the remote Namaigousisagagun First Nation in Northern Ontario has been “devastated by a swift and unpredictable wildfire,” resulting in significant destruction to homes and community infrastructure.
In the bordering U.S. state of Minnesota, over a dozen fires are also blazing due to extreme heat, arid conditions, and strong winds.
Officials are advising residents to stay indoors to avoid smoke inhalation and to limit outdoor exertion and heavy breathing.
On Wednesday, residents in Toronto, Canada’s largest city facing yet another heatwave, reported yellow-tinged skies and received air quality alerts from local authorities.
According to IQAir, a global air quality monitoring organization, Toronto’s air quality ranked as the worst in the world.
This ranking surpassed that of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Delhi, Dubai, and Jerusalem.
As a precaution, outdoor World Cup fan activities for the Wednesday match between England and Argentina have been canceled, and local wading pools have been closed.
In the U.S., authorities have warned that smoke is anticipated to move into the region starting Wednesday, even as the heatwave begins to subside.
Heat warnings for the Midwest states of Wisconsin and Minnesota are expected to be lifted by Thursday night.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk