Canada needs to do more to ensure citizens are kept safe during wildfires: Trudeau

TORONTO

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that Canadian firefighters are stepping up and working day and night to stop the harrowing wildfires across the country, but Canada needs to do more to make sure it is doing everything necessary to keep citizens safe.

"We need to continue to make sure we are doing everything possible to both keep Canadians safe when these extreme weather events hit. But also make sure we're doing everything we can to predict, protect and act ahead of more of these events coming," Trudeau said at a news conference where he provided updates on the wildfires.

Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members were deployed to the wildfire regions, Trudeau added.

"There are hundreds of Armed Forces members now deployed. Additionally, the CAF is helping with everything from delivering food and supplies to people in Quebec, to providing logistics support for water bombers," he said.

Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair assessed the current situation across the country.

"As of today, there are 2,293 wildfires that have occurred in Canada. Approximately 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have been burned. And across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning -- 239 of which are determined to be out of control," he said.

Additionally, an estimated 20,183 people have been evacuated from homes and communities.

While some have been able to return in some parts of the provinces of Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec, many are still displaced and as fires continue to disrupt communities, added Blair.

He thanked all who donated to matching campaigns set to help firefighting missions across the country.

"I want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank all who have generously donated to our matching campaigns. And with federal and provincial contributions these appeals have already raised over $26 million in Alberta, $6 million in Nova Scotia and in the Northwest Territories," he said.

Canada has been battling wildfires since the beginning of May.