Tag: wildfires

Canada Requests Meta to Remove Ban on Domestic News From Instagram, Facebook

The Canadian government on Friday demanded that Meta lift a “reckless” ban on domestic news from its platforms to allow people to share information about wildfires in the west of the country.

Meta started blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month in response to a new law requiring internet giants to pay for news articles.

Some people fleeing wildfires in the remote northern town of Yellowknife have complained to domestic media that the ban prevented them from sharing important data about the fires.

“Meta’s reckless choice to block news … is hurting access to vital information on Facebook and Instagram,” Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said in a social media post.

“We are calling on them to reinstate news sharing today for the safety of Canadians facing this emergency. We need more news right now, not less,” she said.

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez earlier said the ban meant people did not have access to crucial information.

Chris Bittle, a legislator for the ruling Liberal Party, complained on Thursday that “Meta’s actions to block news are reckless and irresponsible.”

Ollie Williams, who runs Yellowknife’s Cabin Radio digital radio station, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. that people were posting screen shots of information on Facebook since they could not share links to news feeds.

In response, a Meta spokesperson said by email that the company had activated the “Safety Check” feature on Facebook that allows users to spread the word that they are safe in the wake of a natural disaster or a crisis.

Canadians can use Facebook and Instagram to access content from official government agencies, emergency services and non-governmental organizations, the spokesperson added.

Meta says users do not come to its platform for news and forcing the company to pay for content shared on its platforms is unsustainable for its business.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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Hundreds flee from wildfire in South Korean seaside city

SEOUL, South Korea — Hundreds of South Koreans were forced to flee a wildfire fueled by strong winds that burned parts of an eastern coastal city Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes.

More than 2,300 firefighters and 300 vehicles were dispatched to fight the blaze that started on a mountain in a central part of Gangneung, officials said.

Around 70 homes and other buildings were destroyed and more than 400 residents evacuated to facilities that included an ice-skating arena and a middle school gym.


Local residents stand near the scene of a fire, affected by a wildfire in the area, in Gangneung, South Korea on April 11, 2023.
AP

Smoke from a wildfire covers near a lake in Gangneung, South Korea, on April 11, 2023.
AP

There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths.

The Korea Forest Service said firefighters put out about 65% of the fire as of 2:10 p.m.

It wasn’t immediately clear how long it would take them to bring the flames fully under control as the high winds made it difficult to deploy water-dropping aircraft.


Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in Gangneung, South Korea, on April 11, 2023.
AP

The Korea Meteorological Administration said winds in the Gangneung area were blowing as hard as 64 miles per hour as of Tuesday afternoon.

The strong winds also forced railroad operators to cancel at least a dozen passenger trains between Gangneung and other eastern coastal cities like Donghae and Samcheok.


Local residents cry as smoke rises in Gangneung, South Korea, on April 11, 2023.
AP

The fire covered more than 914 acres and firefighters were establishing barriers while focusing on preventing the flames from spreading to more populated areas of Gangneung, according to the Korea Forest Service and the Gangwon provincial government.

Photos showed firefighters spraying water toward burning homes and buildings and large, orange flames engulfing a pine forest near a seaside resort hotel.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed officials to deploy “all available equipment and personnel” to swiftly extinguish the wildfire and evacuate residents to prevent the loss of life.

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