Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP/TT
A rapidly spreading wildfire in western Canada is threatening communities in British Columbia, forcing more than 20,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The entire town of Summerland, with a population of 12,000, is covered by the evacuation order. In addition, another 8,000 residents in nearby Peachland have been ordered to evacuate, Sweden Herald reported.
The fire has destroyed houses as it spreads, but it is unclear how many.
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.