Canada Wildfires

Canada has put its military on standby to help battle wildfires in British Columbia, where one person has died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes as fast-moving blazes wreak destruction. Defense Minister David McGuinty said Monday that military forces were ready to respond if British Columbia formally requested their help. The federal government has already approved provincial requests for help with shelter and accommodations. The Bald Range wildfire remained out of control after racing toward Summerland and other communities along Okanagan Lake over the weekend, forcing about 20,000 people to flee.

A wildfire in western Canada that has forced about 20,000 people to flee grew overnight. Authorities are still fighting to contain the blaze that’s destroyed homes and other properties near Okanagan Lake in British Columbia. The fire is burning toward Summerland, a community east of Vancouver. Beyond those already forced to flee, another 10,000 people have been told to be ready to leave on short notice. Multiple other fires were burning in the province, and officials are warning that lightning may spark more. And other wildfires are burning in the U.S., including in California's Big Sur region.