Updated

Officials say some progress has been made in quelling wildfires that are threatening thousands of people in western Canada and triggering quality warnings across the U.S. West and Midwest.

Steve Roberts, a Saskatchewan wildfire management official, said Wednesday that better visibility has allowed aircraft to dump water on the flames. Several hundred troops are involved in the efforts.

Authorities estimate between 10,000 to 12,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the province in recent days.

Wildfires are also burning in parts of British Columbia and northern Alberta.

A northern Saskatchewan aboriginal community is also seeking volunteers to help fight the fires.