2 Aug 2009

Wildfires in British Columbia

12:01 pm on 2 August 2009

More than 500 forest fires are burning out of control in western Canada.

British Columbia provincial premier Gordon Campbell told the CBC on Friday that record high temperatures have created a serious situation. He said conditions can best be described as "tinder dry."

CBC reported the province is spending $C3 million per day fighting the blazes. Evacuation orders have already been issued for some communities.

Mr Campbell said there were 531 forest fires burning.