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Western Canada fights growing wildfires as thousands more told to be ready to leave
['Haven Daley', 'Rob Gillies', 'Associated Press']
Standard Democrat Latest News
WEST KELOWNA, British Columbia (AP) — A deadly wildfire in western Canada that has forced some 20,000 people to flee grew overnight even without strong winds, challenging efforts to contain it and fully assess the damage, authorities said Tuesday.
The fire showed “quite significant growth” in some areas overnight even without strong winds, said Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations for the British Columbia Wildfire Service.
He added crews were working around the clock to establish control lines and make it safe for evacuated residents to return home.
British Columbia officials said they had secured 1,600 hotel rooms and 1,000 group-lodging spaces for evacuees in Okanagan after some residents faced delays getting emergency assistance during the weekend evacuation.
The lack of information has frustrated some Summerland residents, who have turned to photos and videos posted online from inside the evacuated community.