Ottawa, Aug. 9 (SANA) More than 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes Sunday in British Columbia, western Canada, as a fast-moving wildfire spread amid hot, dry weather and strong winds.
Agence France-Presse said the Bald Range wildfire had burned about 9,500 hectares and reached areas around Summerland and Peachland along Okanagan Lake. The fire destroyed homes and other property, while provincial authorities declared a state of emergency.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said Sunday in a post on X that the wildfire remained highly active. He noted that rapidly changing conditions had left a number of people trapped as rescue and evacuation operations continued.
British Columbia is battling dozens of wildfires as firefighting crews work to contain the flames amid high temperatures and persistent drought conditions.
R.D/ABD
Wildfire forces 20,000 evacuations in British Columbia, western Canada
