Wildfires Force 20,000 People to Evacuate Homes in Western Canada

Wildfires Force 20,000 People to Evacuate Homes in Western Canada
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More than 20,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in British Columbia after a rapidly spreading wildfire prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Officials said strong winds intensified the Bald Range wildfire late Friday, causing flames to spread toward Summerland and threatening residential communities in surrounding valleys.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said significant damage to homes and property had been reported, warning that some residents had become trapped as conditions changed quickly. He added that air evacuations were underway for people still stranded behind the fire lines.

Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene announced the provincial state of emergency, while local media reported that more than 50 people were evacuated by air from the Folder area as the flames advanced.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked firefighters for their efforts, saying the federal government was prepared to provide support to British Columbia. He expressed solidarity with those forced to leave their homes and hoped they would be able to return safely soon.

The wildfire was first reported on Friday evening, and officials warned that the blaze remained highly active, with significant challenges still ahead as firefighting operations continued.