Over 220 wildfires are burning across Canada, with a state of emergency declared in Squamish, British Columbia, just 64 km from Vancouver. Residents have been told to be ready to evacuate as fires creep closer to populated areas.

Locals like 19-year-old Max Whittenburg and Luke Procter are preparing to flee if needed, packing essentials and securing vehicles. Experts warn coastal fires like the one near Squamish are rare and alarming.

While not as intense as inland fires, these blazes are increasing in frequency. Already, over 3.3 million hectares have burned—more than the size of Belgium—with smoke even reaching Europe.