FORT NELSON, British Columbia (AP) — An intense wildfire could hit a town in western Canada on Monday, based on forecasts of strong winds that have been fueling the out-of-control blaze which has already forced the evacuation of thousands, fire experts and officials warned.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze is currently burning just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest of Fort Nelson, which has already seen about 3,500 people evacuated from there after an order to leave was issued on Friday.
In a video posted on social media late Sunday, fire behavior specialist Ben Boghean with the the British Columbia Wildfire Service said the extreme fire behavior — made worse by years of drought and a below-normal snowpack this past winter — could end up threatening the crews that have been fighting the nearby Parker Lake wildfire.