Homes and structures destroyed in B.C. wildfires

British Columbia officials said Thursday that several homes and other structures have been destroyed as multiple wildfires continue to burn out of control near Clinton and in the Fraser Canyon. At least a dozen properties were reported fully destroyed near the Fiftynine Creek wildfire, which has grown to about 11,000 hectares and prompted expanded evacuation orders and alerts. In the Fraser Canyon, residents in North Bend described having only minutes to protect their property as flames moved closer. Wildfire officials said the Brunswick Creek Complex has burned tens of thousands of hectares, and crews are focusing on protecting buildings rather than direct firefighting because of the intensity of the fire. The blazes have also closed Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon and Highway 3 through Manning Park, leaving the Coquihalla as the only major route linking the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Officials are urging people under evacuation orders to leave immediately as hot, dry, and windy conditions continue.