Ottawa, Aug. 9 -- British Columbia today declared a province-wide state of emergency as fast-moving wildfires tore through parts of western Canada, destroying homes and forcing nearly 22,000 people to evacuate, with authorities warning that hot, dry and windy conditions could trigger further rapid growth.
Premier David Eby announced the emergency on Saturday as 105 wildfires burned across the province, including 70 that started over the past week. About 70 of the fires were considered out of control, officials said.
The Bald Range wildfire, which has triggered the largest evacuation event in British Columbia this summer, has spread rapidly across the Okanagan region, prompting evacuation orders for entire communities. The fire was first d...