‘Like a bomb going off’: British Columbia wildfire triggers mass evacuations

Blaze forces mass evacuations as fire spreadsBritish Columbia declared a state of emergency on Saturday as a fast-moving wildfire nearly doubled in size overnight, forcing thousands of residents in the western Canadian province to evacuate their homes.The Bald Range wildfire was burning out of control after rapidly exp

The Bald Range fire has burned more than 25,000 acres in British Columbia. At one point, the fire spread more than 2,000 acres in about an hour, officials said.

Authorities warn residents to be prepared to leave their homes as fast-moving wildfires spread across western Canada.

A statement from the region’s emergency management centre says officials are aware some residents have chosen to stay behind, despite orders covering more than 2,600 properties on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

Officials urging British Columbia residents to obey wildfire evacuation orders  Toronto Star

The organization (COEM) said it has become aware that some residents remained behind and said that an evacuation order is not a suggestion; it is a life-safety measure.