Western Canada forest fire forces nearly 3,000 out of home

OTTAWA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- About 2,800 people have been evacuated from their homes as forest fires continue to rage across the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan, reports reaching here said Saturday. There were about 88 forest fires burning throughout the province on Saturday, with 36 new blazes started in just the past day by lightening strikes. The fires have destroyed nearly 3,000 square kilometers so far. At least six communities have been affected by the fires. Since Monday, more than 1,000 people have fled their homes in the community of Deschambault Lake, one of the worst hit areas. Despite firefighters' work for the past week, a huge fire is still only one kilometer away from the town. On Friday, 250 people were forced out of Pelican Narrows. Four hundred more people were set to leave from their hometown in the... [read full story]