Authorities in Canada’s western province of British Columbia declared a state of emergency after rapidly spreading wildfires forced more than 20,000 people to move to safety. The fire intensified on the night before Saturday. Strong winds late Friday caused the Bald Range wildfire to spread quickly, reaching the Summerland area and affecting communities in surrounding valleys.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said Saturday that several homes and properties had suffered significant damage. He said some people had also been trapped as conditions changed rapidly. Kelly Greene, the province’s minister of emergency management and climate readiness, declared the emergency as the situation worsened. CTV News reported that more than 50 people from the Fouldar area were evacuated by air as the fire advanced quickly.

Eby said air evacuations were under way to rescue people isolated within the fire perimeter. The first wildfire report emerged early Friday evening, and Eby warned that the blaze remained highly active on Saturday, with major challenges still ahead. Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked firefighters and frontline emergency workers and said the federal government was ready to provide necessary support and assistance to the British Columbia government.