Oregon crews battling wildfires in Canada expect increase in fire activity

Twelve firefighters from Oregon are deployed to Alberta, Canada, to combat wildfires that have forced the evacuation of more than 25,000 people across three provinces. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced the two-week assignment on Friday, with crews expected to remain in Canada for at least 14 days. Fire behavior has been moderate, but forecasters predict increased activity by Thursday and Friday. "Right now, things seem to be going fairly well," said Leo Williamson of ODF. The firefighters are spread across four separate wildfires, which threaten significant oil sands production in the region.

Alberta's wildfires currently jeopardize about 7% of Canada's oil production, illustrating the broader implications for the energy sector. Recent rains provided temporary relief, but changing weather conditions could escalate the situation. This deployment underscores the collaborative efforts across regions to address the ongoing wildfire crisis.