Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos taken from International Space Station (ISS) show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia.
The ISS photographs released by the NASA show smoke billowing from a fire in close proximity to Shelburne on May 29. By May 31, the fire had spread across an area of 17,000 hectares near the southern tip of Nova Scotia, the most extensive forest fire ever recorded in the province’s history.
The photos show that on May 29, a smaller fire could be seen near Halifax. As of May 31, the fire had engulfed an area of 837 hectares near the heavily populated region.
The province of Nova Scotia says, approximately 16,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, and 200 homes and other structures have suffered damage due to wildfires.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Thursday, 211 wildfires had been burning in the country, and 82 of them were out of control.
“It is a simple fact that Canada is experiencing the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and more extreme wildfires,” he explained at a news conference Thursday.
Nearly 1,000 firefighters from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand have joined the operation to aid in firefighting efforts. Additionally, firefighting crews from South Africa are expected to arrive soon.
RISKIN REPORTS
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Last living suspect in 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted in Las Vegas on murder charge
A man who prosecutors say ordered the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur was arrested and charged with murder Friday in a long-awaited breakthrough in one of hip-hop's most enduring mysteries.
Bail bondsman charged alongside Trump in Georgia becomes the first defendant to take a plea deal
A bail bondsman charged alongside former President Donald Trump and 17 others in the Georgia election interference case pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges on Friday, becoming the first defendant to accept a plea deal with prosecutors.
Walking just this much more per day can lower your blood pressure: study
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.
Defence minister insists $1B spending reduction is not a budget cut
The country's top soldier and outside experts say that finding almost $1 billion in savings in the Department of National Defence budget will affect the Armed Forces' capabilities, although the defence minister insisted Friday the budget is not being cut.
Here is how the Blue Jays can clinch a playoff spot tonight
The Toronto Blue Jays could clinch a playoff spot for the second straight season as soon as tonight.
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
Tragedy in real time: The Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh
For the past five days, vehicles laden with refugees have poured into Armenia, fleeing from the crumbling enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in neighbouring Azerbaijan. In a special report for CTVNews.ca, journalist Neil Hauer recounts what it's like on the ground in Armenia.
Man deliberately drives into a home and crashes into a police station in New Jersey, police say
A New Jersey man deliberately drove his SUV into a home and the offices of a municipal police department last week, authorities announced Friday.
From vehicle brakes to smart plugs: These were the major recalls in Canada this week
This week the government of Canada issued recalls and safety alerts for a series of vehicle components and consumer products. With dangers ranging from short circuit fire risks to electric shock hazards, here are some recalls the country has seen this week.