Western Canadian province declares wildfire emergency

OTTAWA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- An out-of-control wildfire in central British Columbia province of Canada has prompted a local state of emergency and evacuations.

The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako in the province issued a state of emergency on Saturday night and ordered evacuations for all properties in the district.

The wildfire occurred on Friday and reached more than 260 hectares early Sunday.

Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, using air tankers to drop fire retardant on the flames.