More than 20,000 people in Canada's western province of British Columbia have been forced to evacuate from their homes and nearly 10,000 others are currently on evacuation alert as a fast-moving wildfire near the town of Summerland continues to spread.
The province declared a state of emergency on Aug. 8 as multiple wildfires intensified, with the Bald Range wildfire in west of Summerland among the most severe.
The blaze was first reported on Aug. 7 and it grew rapidly within hours, blocking highways and prompting the largest evacuation in years.
"It grew immensely. In two hours it turned from a plume of smoke to we need to get up. I'm driving down Garnet Valley and there is nothing but police and fire trucks and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technician)," said resident Casey.
"We assume our property is fine. But nothing is for sure and this event is far from over," said Jason, another resident.
As of Tuesday evening, there were more than 600 wildfires burning across Canada, including 109 in British Columbia. Causes of the wildfires are under investigations.
Over 20,000 people evacuated as wildfires rage in Canada's British Columbia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Wednesday to exchange in-depth views on the latest developments in the Palestine-Israel conflict, bilateral relations, and other issues of common concern.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the traditional friendship between Türkiye and Palestine and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in various fields.
Türkiye will continue to defend the Palestinian cause in the strongest possible way on every platform, Erdogan said, calling for necessary conditions to be established as soon as possible to launch reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
Abbas expressed high appreciation for Türkiye's firm stance in defending the legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian people on various international occasions, as well as his gratitude to Türkiye for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and medical treatment for wounded Palestinians.
He hailed the latest Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, describing it as an important strategic step to strengthen regional security and stability.
Abbas briefed Erdogan on the situation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, accusing Israel of settlement expansion, land seizures, home demolitions, arrests, and provocations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, which have led to a dangerous escalation of the situation.
Although various parties have announced the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Israel continues its blockade and military operations in the enclave, resulting in a persistent humanitarian crisis and casualties in the region, Abbas said.
Abbas reiterated that Gaza is an inseparable part of the Palestinian state, and there can be no state without Gaza.
He emphasized that a future Palestinian state must operate under a centralized governance model defined by one state, one law, one legitimate institution, and one legitimate armed force.
Abbas arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.
The visit comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday formally rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict, insisting that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Erdogan meets Abbas in Ankara, reaffirms support for Palestine
