Wildfires Spread in British Columbia, Canada, Prompting Evacuation Orders for 18,000

As wildfires spread in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 18,000 local residents.

The New York Times reported that the provincial government issued the evacuation orders as wildfires that broke out in the area yesterday, local time, spread rapidly.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said, "The situation is extremely dangerous and changing by the minute," adding, "The flames are moving at an unbelievable speed."

Within just one day of the wildfire outbreak, about 101 square kilometers, more than 30 times the size of Yeouido, burned, and the situation is reported to be severe with flames soaring up to roughly 60 meters high at one point.

Premier Eby also described it, saying, "It felt like a bomb went off."

In British Columbia, where a state of emergency has been declared, 105 wildfires are currently burning simultaneously.

Authorities have deployed more than 2,000 firefighters and structural protection personnel to containment efforts.

Electricity supplies have been cut off in Summerland, located about 420 kilometers east of Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city.

Authorities stated that the wildfire situation could worsen further over the next few days and expect weather conditions to deteriorate additionally.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.