Thousands flee western Canadian wildfires

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) – Emergency crews made slow progress Sunday to contain wildfires that have forced thousands of residents of a western Canadian community to flee their homes. … Wind and dry conditions were fueling the large blazes that broke out Saturday in the rugged hills along Okanagan Lake west of the city of Kelowna, British Columbia, where housing subdivisions have encroached on the surrounding forest in recent years. … About 17,000 people have been told to either leave their homes or be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice if asked by emergency officials. … Adding fuel to the fire were trees that have died in recent years because of an infestation of mountain pine beetles. …

Thousands flee western Canadian wildfires