British Columbia, Canada, was bracing for a long and treacherous wildfire season this year, and on Friday it became a grim reality. Fires that erupted in the region spread rapidly, nearly doubling in size overnight into Saturday, forcing over 20,000 people to flee their homes in a desperate bid for safety.

The British Columbia government declared a state of emergency, with authorities scrambling to evacuate the affected areas and provide aid to those displaced. National police are investigating a possible death near Summerland, although the casualty has not yet been confirmed.

The exact cause of the fires is still unknown, but experts warn that this year's dry conditions and heatwave have created a perfect storm for wildfires to spread rapidly. The British Columbia government has activated its emergency response plan, with hundreds of firefighters and support staff deployed to the affected areas.

smoke billowing from wildfires in British Columbia

As the situation unfolds, concerns are growing for the safety of those who have been forced to flee their homes. Many have taken refuge in local shelters, while others have been left to fend for themselves in the face of this unfolding disaster.