A wildfire burns on a mountain in the distance (Picture: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Fire has ripped through woodland in Canada forcing almost 40,000 people to flee their homes.

Troops have been sent to help battle the blaze that has been devastating British Colombia.

Thousands of people have been evacuated using two military planes and five helicopters, while 50 firefighters have been sent from Australia to help tackle the blaze.

Firefighters have been battling a series of blazes in the province for more than a week with an estimated 159 outbreaks at an estimated cost of more than £50million to the economy.

Almost 217 miles of the country is affected – an equivalent distance would be London to Manchester.

Residential areas destroyed by the fires (Picture: Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

 

Authorities expect the fires to worsen (Picture: Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

Although firefighters have stated they are making progress, authorities from Ottawa have warned the worst is not over.

An increased up police presence has meant officials are now starting to tell people if they had lost their properties.

Logging companies have also agreed to suspend operations as the fire is brought under control.

The last time such a large-scale fire took hold in Canada, more than 80,000 people were evacuated in the Alberta region.

Charred items lie on the ground after a wildfire (Picture: Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press/AP)
Burned out cars left after residents evacuated (Picture: Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press/AP)
A wildfire burns on a mountain in Canada (Picture: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
This residential area, Boston Flats, was badly affected (Picture: Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press/AP)
Smoke rises from trees burned by wildfire (Picture: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

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