(CNN) — Wildfires that have swept through thousands of acres have forced more than 16,000 Canadians to evacuate their homes and prompted a burning ban in Nova Scotia, where record high temperatures are pounding.

Authorities say the fires, which span a total of more than 10,000 hectares and are considered “out of control” by authorities, have destroyed several buildings and sent huge plumes of smoke into the area. By Monday, more than 16,000 people had been forced to evacuate around Halifax, Nova Scotia’s largest city.

The number of people who have been forced from their homes is around 16,429, Erica Fleck, head of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s emergency management division, said at a press conference on Monday. .

Officials also said about 400 people had been evacuated from Shelbourne County in southwestern Nova Scotia.

The flames damaged at least 200 homes or structures, Halifax Township said in a Facebook post, citing initial visual inspections by first responders.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these fires,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said. “We know they are living in uncertainty and distress. We see that and want to try to alleviate a little bit of the financial stress.”

Each household that must evacuate will receive $500 administered through the Canadian Red Cross, according to a news release on Monday. The funds are intended to meet what Houston called “urgent needs like food and personal care items.”

Authorities in Nova Scotia also announced a province-wide burning ban on Monday due to the “severity of the current fires.”

“The ban will remain in effect until June 25, unless the province determines it can be lifted sooner,” authorities said in a statement. “Anyone who violates the ban can be prosecuted under the forest law.”

Trudeau: “The forest fire situation in Nova Scotia is incredibly serious”

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the wildfires “incredibly severe” in a tweet on Monday.

“We stand ready to provide all necessary federal support and assistance,” Trudeau said. “We have everyone concerned in our thoughts, and we thank those who are working hard to keep people safe.”

A wildfire burning in the Westwood Hills and Tantallon areas of Nova Scotia is “out of control,” according to a news release Monday. The fire currently covers some 1,947 hectares.

More than 200 crews from agencies across the province were dispatched to help fight the fires. Authorities say 35 fire engines, two helicopters and a water bomber are in use, and warn that wind gusts of up to 65 km/h could cause the fire to spread.

Another fire, burning in the Lake Barrington and Shelburne County areas of southwestern Nova Scotia, continued to grow rapidly on Monday. The fire, which authorities say is also “out of control”, burned nearly 10,000 hectares on Monday evening, according to a statement. In the statement, officials noted that “some structures have been destroyed and others are at risk, but there are no specific details on the numbers for the area yet.”

While Nova Scotia grapples with the fires, the western province of Alberta has been battling the blaze for weeks, CNN reported. According to a press release published this Sunday by its emergency management service, some 3,501 people remain evacuated and “more than 2,700 soldiers” continue to fight the flames.

The fire danger in Alberta remains “Very High to Extreme in northern regions of the province, Moderate to Very High in central and southern regions, and Moderate to Very High from the central region to the northern slopes of the mountains.” according to Sunday’s release.