According to a report from The Guardian on the 9th, a rapidly spreading wildfire has forced the provincial government of British Columbia, Canada, to declare a state of emergency. With over a hundred wildfires currently burning across the province, nearly half are out of control due to scorching temperatures, strong winds, and prolonged drought conditions.
The report notes that approximately 22,000 residents have received mandatory evacuation orders, while another 9,700 are on alert and must be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.
One fire official described the blaze as ‘exploding like a bomb all of a sudden.’ Firefighting helicopters have been deployed to rescue those unable to escape by land routes.
