Ottawa, August 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Canada’s western province of British Columbia has declared a provincial state of emergency as rapidly spreading wildfires threaten communities, force large-scale evacuations and leave some residents cut off from road access.
British Columbia Premier David Eby announced the emergency on Saturday, saying the rapidly changing conditions and overnight evacuations required additional powers to protect residents and support rescue operations.
“The conditions of this fire are extremely dangerous and are changing minute by minute,” Eby said at a news conference in Vancouver, stressing that saving lives remained the government’s foremost priority.
Air evacuations were also underway to rescue people trapped by the advancing fires.
According to the province’s emergency management ministry, the emergency declaration gives the government greater flexibility in responding to the crisis, including powers to commandeer accommodation and impose local travel restrictions.
The wildfire near Summerland has been particularly severe, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents and destroying several homes and other properties.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the federal government was prepared to provide full support to British Columbia for firefighting and relief operations.
The wildfire crisis has also affected other parts of Canada. More than 100 active fires were burning in northwestern Ontario, while wildfire smoke has caused a sharp deterioration in air quality in cities including Ottawa and Toronto.
Toronto recorded an air quality reading classified as posing a “very high risk”, while Ottawa issued air quality alerts as wildfire smoke combined with humid conditions. The trapped smoke gave the sky a yellow appearance in parts of the capital.
A video showing a Canadian National (CN) train surrounded by flames near Armstrong, Ontario, has also circulated widely online. CN confirmed the footage was authentic and said the train crew had been safely evacuated.
The railway company has temporarily suspended train operations in the affected section, amid the continuing wildfire threat and emergency evacuations in several northwestern Ontario communities.
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