Thousands relocated by Canadian wildfires

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 5 (UPI) -- More than 2,800 people in Canada have been forced to leave their homes as wildfires ravage the province of Saskatchewan and create heavy smoke, officials say.

Trish Alcorn, who works for the Ministry of Social Services in the province, said the wildfires forced nearly 250 more people from their homes this week as heavy smoke spread across the area, The Saskatoon StarPhoenix said Saturday.

Another 400 people were expected to be evacuated Saturday due to the threat of smoke inhalation, Alcorn said.

"It's all still because of the heavy smoke in these areas," she told the newspaper.

The evacuations have put stress on regional emergency facilities, which are quickly filling to capacity as the wildfires relocate more individuals.

The StarPhoenix said as of Friday 462 fire personnel were attempting to control 54 individual wildfires.

The latest fires brings the province's total for the year to 464, the newspaper said.