British Columbia has declared a provincewide state of emergency as more than 100 wildfires continue to burn across the province, forcing nearly 22,000 people from their homes.

Axar.az reports, citing CBC News, that British Columbia Premier David Eby said the situation had become increasingly volatile and urged residents under evacuation orders to leave immediately as the fires continue to move “incredibly quickly.”

All 12,000 residents of Summerland were ordered to evacuate late Friday as the Bald Range wildfire rapidly approached the community.

The fire was first detected at around 5:30 p.m. Friday and grew to about 50 square kilometres within three hours. It nearly doubled in size overnight and had burned more than 103 square kilometres by Saturday afternoon.

As of Saturday, 105 wildfires were burning across British Columbia, 70 of which started within the previous week.

Nearly 22,000 people are currently under evacuation orders across the province, while another 9,700 have been told to prepare to leave at short notice.

Eby urged anyone under an evacuation order who had not yet left to do so immediately.