Abu dhabi: On Saturday ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents in a vineyard and orchard-growing region of British Columbia after a fast-moving wildfire in western Canada nearly doubled in size overnight. The province declared a state of emergency as wildfires broke out across several areas of western Canada.

According to Emirates News Agency, British Columbia Premier David Eby stated at a press conference that the fires had destroyed homes and property. He added that some people had become trapped as conditions changed rapidly, necessitating rescue operations. Eby warned that the situation remained highly volatile and dangerous.

Several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, have experienced wildfires this year due to hot, dry weather fueling blazes in densely vegetated areas. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported that wildfires have burned four million hectares, equivalent to 9.9 million acres, across Canada so far this year.