A raging wildfire has caused a state of emergency to be declared in Canada with thousands of people being forced to evacuate.

Multiple states of emergencies have been declared by towns with 1,000 properties under evacuation orders - and 5,000 more on standby.

The City of West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation in British Columbia have been the hardest hit with whole communities at risk.

A video shows the fire rapidly approaching West Kelowna on the hillside as many in the city have been evacuated.

A heatwave, with soaring temperatures in the Okanagan region, is exacerbating the fire.

On Tuesday the McDougall Creek wildfire was discovered and grew rapidly about six miles northwest of West Kelowna.

West Kelowna Fire Department Chief Jason Brolund said in a press conference: "I don't want people to panic, but I also want people to take it seriously. "

"If you haven't been evacuated yet and you're in an alert area - you need to prepare."

"I remain gravely concerned for the fire and where it's going and how it's going to threaten our community. "

"Tonight is going to be a difficult night."

"Our people are out there working hard. We're not giving up."