The Canadian Press

A state of emergency has been declared in the City of Kelowna, B.C., and thousands more West Kelowna residents have been ordered to leave their homes in the face of a fast-burning wildfire.

The "very active and unpredictable" McDougall Creek wildfire has now destroyed structures and put more than 2,400 West Kelowna properties under evacuation order, up from about 800 Thursday afternoon, after a frightening night that saw hills surrounding the Okanagan community ablaze.

A helicopter involved in firefighting operations has crashed in northwestern Alberta, killing a pilot. 

Todd Loewen, Alberta's forestry minister, offered condolences to the pilot's family, friends and colleagues on Thursday.

"Today’s tragic news is a reminder that the heroes who put their lives on the line to protect us are men and women like you and me. They have families, friends, hopes and dreams," he said in a written statement. 

Cooler temperatures and a bit of rain were delivering some relief for firefighters as they continued to battle wildfires that threaten communities in northern Alberta, but provincial officials warned the reprieve was only in some areas and lightning is sparking some new blazes.

"People have called this season certainly unprecedented in recent memory because we have so many fires so spread out," Christie Tucker with Alberta Wildfire told a media briefing Sunday afternoon.

"It's been an unusual year."

An Alberta deputy premier says it was appropriate for his boss to phone up a pastor and discuss his upcoming criminal trial on charges stemming from protests over pandemic restrictions. 

Kaycee Madu says Premier Danielle Smith has a broad mandate to reduce divisions over the COVID-19 pandemic while helping the province grow. 

Madu says in pursuing that mission, Smith is free to contact whomever she wants.

Edmonton police say two patrol officers have been killed while responding to a call.

The force did not immediately release details about what happened.

Police Chief Dale McFee and other dignitaries were scheduled to make statements later Thursday.

About a dozen police cars were parked around a northwest Edmonton apartment complex, a large series of brick three-storey walkups. A forensics truck was parked outside one of the buildings.

The scene was taped off and a road leading into the complex was blocked. Police also set up two command posts in the area. 

Edmonton police say two patrol officers have been killed while responding to a call.

The force did not immediately release any details about what happened.

Police chief Dale McFee and other dignitaries are to make brief formal statements later Thursday.

Police say further details will be released once they're confirmed. 

Several officers, along with forensic units and command post trucks were outside an apartment complex in northwest Edmonton on Thursday morning as people were quietly leaving for work and school. One of the complexes was taped off. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they will be gifting King Charles with a new horse, Noble, ahead of the monarch's upcoming coronation in May.

The RCMP says the King will be presented with the horse, which is also being given in recognition of the federal service's 150th anniversary, at a ceremony.

It says the King personally requested a horse from the musical ride to eventually be his new charger when his current steed, George, retires.

The musical ride is a troop of police horse riders who perform intricate formations and drills set to music.

Some members of Parliament want to see Google in the hot seat over the tech company's move to temporarily block news access to some of its Canadian users.

The House of Commons heritage committee is meeting today and members are expected to discuss whether to summon leadership from Google to testify. 

Last week Google confirmed to The Canadian Press that it was limiting news access on its search engine to less than four per cent of its Canadian users. 

Alberta has become the seventh province to sign an agreement in principle with Ottawa on health-care funding.

The federal government said in a news release Monday that more than $24 billion is to be invested in Alberta's health-care system over the next 10 years.

Canada is imposing more sanctions against Iran for what it describes as gross violations of human rights. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced twelve senior Iranian government and law enforcement officials are being sanctioned for participating in "gross and systematic human rights violations," including through repressing demonstrations in the western part of the country.

The listed individuals will have their Canadian assets frozen and be barred from entering the country.