Homes destroyed and residents rescued as rapidly spreading wildfires intensify across western Canada
Toronto: British Columbia has declared a provincial state of emergency as multiple wildfires continue to burn across western Canada, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and prompting emergency rescue operations.
British Columbia Premier David Eby announced the emergency declaration on Saturday as firefighters battled a growing number of blazes amid rapidly changing conditions.
“Homes have been lost, and properties have been destroyed. Some people became trapped as conditions changed very quickly, and needed to be rescued,” Eby said during a press conference.
“It remains a very dynamic and threatening situation.”
A structure burns in a wildfire in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada August 8, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. REUTERS
Wildfire burns in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada August 8, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. REUTERS
Authorities said the declaration is intended to support emergency response efforts and provide additional resources as wildfire activity escalates across the province.
The wildfires have damaged homes and properties, while emergency crews continue working to protect communities and assist displaced residents.
British Columbia regularly faces severe wildfire seasons, but officials warned that current conditions remain highly volatile, with changing weather and fire behaviour posing ongoing risks to residents and first responders.
Firefighters remain deployed across affected areas as authorities monitor the situation and issue evacuation orders where necessary.
