This is what afternoon darkness looks like in the smoke-filled heart of B.C.

"The heart of it all” is in Vanderhoof, B.C. It’s a town slogan meant to reference its location: Vanderhoof is the geographical centre of British Columbia. But as wildfires burn throughout the province, and smoke makes its way across the skies, the town looks more like a heart of darkness.

As smoke from the nearby Shovel Lake wildfires moves east, it’s bringing a nighttime effect to the community of 4,500, where residents reported witnessing black ash falling.

The B.C.  government has issued a provincial state of emergency, as there are currently more than 550 wildfires across the province and thousands of residents are being asked to evacuate their homes. In Fraser Lake, B.C.,—about 50 kilometres west of Vanderhoof—residents have been informed they should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

MORE ABOUT B.C. WILDFIRES:

• B.C. declares state of emergency over wildfires
• B.C. wildfires set record high greenhouse gas emission levels
• As B.C.’s wildfires raged, these sheepdogs stayed to protect their flock
• B.C.’s record-setting wildfires explained in one chart