A harrowing video captured by a train crew near Armstrong, Ontario, shows the crew being 'encased' by intense flames from a fast-moving wildfire. The footage, released on Tuesday, highlights the speed and ferocity of one of more than 100 wildfires currently burning across Canada.
Crew Member Describes Terrifying Ordeal
In the video, a crew member can be heard saying, 'This could potentially overtake us here … This has gotten a little scary,' as a wall of flames whips across the windows. Moments later, the crew member states, 'We’re encased in flames now.' The railway company Canadian National (CN) confirmed that the crew has been 'safely evacuated' from the area.
Wildfires Impact Air Quality
The wildfires in Ontario have caused Toronto's air quality to become the worst in the world, according to IQAir. The city's air quality index reached 10+ on Tuesday, indicating hazardous conditions. The smoke from the fires has drifted south, affecting millions of people in Canada and the United States.
Scale of the Wildfires
As of Tuesday, there were over 100 active wildfires in Ontario alone, with more than 20 out of control. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of hectares, forcing evacuations and destroying property. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported that the country is experiencing an unusually severe wildfire season, with more than 2.3 million hectares burned so far this year.
Climate Crisis Exacerbates Conditions
The extreme heat and dry conditions have been linked to the climate crisis, making wildfires more frequent and intense. Scientists say that climate change is increasing the risk of such events, with hotter temperatures and prolonged droughts creating ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly.
