Credit, Getty Images
Authorities in the province of British Columbia, in western Canada, have ordered the evacuation of around 15,000 homes, in an area where firefighters are battling wildfires.
A “significant” number of buildings caught fire in West Kelowna, a city of 36,000, and more than 2,400 homes were evacuated.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency across the province, where hundreds of fires are raging.
Canada is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season, with official estimates that more than 13.7 million hectares have already burned.
This is the worst wildfire season on record, with at least a thousand fires burning across the country, according to the Canadian Interagency Wildfire Center (CIFFC).
Experts say climate change increases the risk of hot, dry weather that could fuel wildfires.
Extreme, long-lasting heat draws more and more moisture from the ground, which can fuel fires that can spread incredibly quickly, especially if winds are strong.
Local authorities have already reported “significant structural losses” in the region.
No deaths have been reported as of this report.
Credit, Reuters
Credit, Getty Images
Credit, Getty Images
Credit, Getty Images
Credit, Reuters
“Freelance communicator. Hardcore web practitioner. Entrepreneur. Total student. Beer ninja.”
