20,000 in Canada flee amid wildfire

VICTORIA, Canada — Canadian officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday after a fast-moving wildfire forced the overnight evacuation of more than 20,000 people in the western province of British Columbia.

Winds fanned the Bald Range wildfire, causing it to grow rapidly late on Friday, pushing flames into the Summerland area and affecting communities throughout the surrounding valleys.

"We know there have been significant losses of homes and property. We also know that some people became trapped as conditions changed quickly," British Columbia Premier David Eby said in a statement on Saturday.

"Air evacuations are underway for people who remain isolated behind the fire perimeter," Eby said.

Kelly Greene, the province's Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, declared a state of emergency.

CTV News reported more than 50 people had to be airlifted out of the community of Faulder as flames advanced.

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted his gratitude to firefighters and first responders on X, thanking them for "working tirelessly to keep people safe".

"The federal government stands ready to help and support the government of British Columbia in these efforts. I'm keeping everyone forced from their homes in my thoughts and hoping they can return safely soon," Carney said.

The fire was first reported on Friday evening, and Eby warned on Saturday it "remains extremely active and significant challenges remain".

Meanwhile in the US, two people were killed when a helicopter crashed while supporting firefighting efforts on a massive wildfire in central Utah, authorities confirmed on Saturday, as crews continued to battle one of the state's largest wildfires of the year and assess when responders could safely reach the remote crash site.

The US National Interagency Fire Center said the helicopter under contract with the US Forest Service was involved in an accident on the Widemouth 2 Fire, killing the pilot and one crew member. Their names have not been released.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft, a Sikorsky S-64, crashed near Richfield at about 10 am on Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. Preliminary information indicated the helicopter went down in remote terrain under unknown circumstances during firefighting operations.

Local officials said fire activity and rugged terrain initially prevented crews from reaching the wreckage. Fire officials said the crash also ignited new flames, further complicating access and raising safety concerns for rescuers.

El Nino impact

El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure and rainfall patterns. It usually causes drier conditions in Southeast Asia and India.

Indonesian authorities have closed access to a national park on Java island as firefighters battle a wildfire that has been raging there for nearly a week.

The blaze has razed 176 hectares since it broke out on Monday in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, near the popular East Java tourist destination of Mount Bromo, a disaster official said.

Authorities barred access for visitors late Saturday until further notice.

No injuries or property destruction have been reported, said National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure spokesman Abdul Muhari.

Two water-bombing helicopters have been deployed to douse the flames in areas difficult for firefighters to reach due to steep slopes and strong winds, he said in a statement on Sunday.

"These conditions make air operations important to reach areas that cannot be accessed optimally by land," the official said.

A blaze destroyed more than 500 hectares of land on Mount Bromo in 2023 when a couple lit a flare during a prewedding photo shoot.

AGENCIES-XINHUA