Canada fires: Your experiences

Adrian Procter took this picture of the wildfires in West Kelowna on Sunday

Huge wildfires near the western Canadian city of Kelowna have forced the evacuation of up to 17,000 people.

One of the fires started on Saturday and quickly grew to 300 hectares (740 acres), destroying up to nine homes, while a second blaze broke out on Sunday some 10km away and has already consumed 100 hectares.

BBC News website readers from the area describe how they have been affected by the fires and give the latest on the situation on the ground.

Some people had less than five minutes' notice to leave, and they left with nothing

We are in West Kelowna - the location of the fires - and it has been a very nerve-wrecking time.

We were not ordered to evacuate from our neighbourhood, but chose to leave because the fires were so close and stayed with my in-laws across Okanagan Lake on Sunday night.

The closest fire to our home was about 2km away on Sunday, but there were thousands of homes that were closer - some people had less than five minutes' notice to leave, and they left with nothing.

Others were woken in the middle of the night and told to get out.

It is bringing back terrible memories of the firestorms of 2003.

It has gotten a bit quieter now though, as the winds have died down.

Thankfully, we are going home this morning but I'm not sure for how long at this stage.

We have all had lumps in our throats, and have been praying for the best.

Pat took this picture of the fire when it started on Saturday

We are near the wildfires, we have a houseful of evacuees and are on alert. Right now, it is 10 people, six cats and two dogs.

From our house we have a firsthand view of the fire.

It is very scary but we thank the forestry and all of the Central Okanogan fire districts for their wonderful efforts. They have thrown everything they have to the fire: water-bomber helicopters and ground crew in where they can.

Right now the fire is at the other side of the ridge, but they are not letting people go back to their homes because the wind here is very shifty.

Things are not so bad today, but our house is in the middle of two fires, so we are on evacuation alert.

We are well stocked, as we can still drive to some grocery stores. It takes a long time because we have to take the back roads.

The local, provincial and national media have been terrific and have kept us well informed. I think they learned the lesson from the 2003 fires.

The local website has also been very helpful as people can post information about, for example, where to keep the horses. This is mainly an agricultural and ranch region, so it is very important for people to keep their animals safe.

It looks like it is going to be at least another few days before we know if anyone can go home and if they have a home to go to.

On Monday mother nature was co-operative with still winds

There are three fires still burning.

The Glenrosa fire is covering 350 hectares and is now 40% contained, the Rose Valley fire is 150 hectares wide and is 0% contained - both of these fires are very close to residential areas.

The third fire is the Terrace mountain fire and this is covering 800 hectares and is 0% contained, however this fire is not close to homes.

It has been confirmed that three homes have been destroyed at this time.

Up to 11,000 people have been evacuated as the fire is still out of control.

On Monday mother nature was co-operative with still winds but on Tuesday the temperature is going to rise to 35C.

God bless the firefighters fighting this intense fire.

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