Over 20,000 evacuated from wildfire in Canada

 

TT-AP 

Published 18.49

 

A burned-out house in Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada. Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP/TT

A large wildfire is growing rapidly in western Canada and is approaching cities in the province of British Columbia. More than 20,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

The entire town of Summerland, with a population of 12,000, is under evacuation orders. An additional 8,000 residents in nearby Peachland are also being ordered to evacuate.

The fire has destroyed an unknown number of homes as it spreads.

The fire was reported on Friday afternoon. It has since grown rapidly in size.

At least 104 fires are burning in the province, the public service channel CBC reports, citing emergency services. Almost half of them are considered out of control. At least 1,588 firefighters are working to contain and extinguish the fires.