British Columbia declares state of emergency as wildfire forces 22,000 to evacuate

The Canadian province of British Columbia has declared a state of emergency after a rapidly spreading wildfire forced nearly 22,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Another 9,700 people were under evacuation alerts as more than 100 wildfires burned across the province, with nearly half classified as out of control.

The entire community of Summerland, home to about 12,000 people, was ordered to evacuate overnight, along with about 8,000 residents in and around Peachland.

The Bald Range wildfire was first reported on Friday evening and rapidly grew to about 50 square kilometres, according to The Guardian.

It swept through Faulder before travelling roughly 15 kilometres towards Summerland.

BC Premier David Eby said one fire official described the blaze as being “like a bomb going off”.

“I know many families are facing an unimaginable day today. People have lost their homes. And many people have been displaced. Others are waiting for news about loved ones,” he said.

BC Wildfire Service director of wildfire operations Cliff Chapman described conditions across the province as “explosive”.

Officials said some residents became trapped and required rescue, with firefighting helicopters diverted to help people unable to escape by road.

The provincial state of emergency gives authorities additional powers to restrict travel and secure accommodation for displaced residents as crews battle fires across British Columbia.