The fire is out of control, say officials

At least 7,800 people are fleeing three major fires in the region, according to reports.

Sixty houses and a sawmill were said to have been destroyed by the fire in the town of Barriere, about 180 miles (300 kilometres) north-east of Vancouver.

The province's Premier, Gordon Campbell, has declared a state of emergency in the region.

This is the worst situation we've had and the driest circumstances we've measured in the last 50 years Gordon Campbell BC premier

Residents were ordered by authorities to leave their homes after a fire spanning 10 square miles (25 square km) began edging towards the town from the south.

Several hundred residents had to be ferried across the North Thompson River by Department of Fisheries and Oceans boats, said police.

"This is the worst situation we've had and the driest circumstances that we've measured in the last 50 years," Mr Campbell said.

"In all likelihood British Columbians have never lived through a drier forest situation than we are living through this summer."

Dry conditions

Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze, which began on Wednesday and was reportedly started by a discarded cigarette.

Rough terrain is hampering attempts by firefighters to reach the fire itself.

Houses and a sawmill have been destroyed

And although authorities are using aircraft to spray water on the fire, conditions are so dry it is taking several attempts by planes to even slow the blaze.

Officials say the fire is unpredictable and completely out of control.

Gusty winds and continued hot, dry weather has led to dozens of fires erupting in the province.

The fire has cut power to some areas of British Columbia, closed a major highway and halted rail services.

There are two other fires north of Barriere in the southern part of Alberta province. One of the fires near Rayleigh spread from a small spark to a 30-hectare wildfire in just five minutes on Friday.

There are currently more than 320 active fires in British Columbia - which is about the size of Germany and France combined - with 171 believed to have been caused by people and the rest by lightning.