Bald Range Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations in British Columbia
More than 20,000 people have been ordered to evacuate Summerland, Peachland and surrounding areas in British Columbia as the rapidly expanding Bald Range wildfire threatens communities in the Okanagan region. The District of Summerland declared a state of emergency early Saturday and ordered all of its more than 12,000 residents to leave. About 8,000 additional people in and around Peachland were also placed under evacuation orders.
The fire was detected at about 5:30 p.m. PT Friday roughly 15 kilometres northwest of Summerland. It expanded to 50 square kilometres within three hours and exceeded 95 square kilometres by 8 a.m. Saturday. Officials classified it as out of control and described its behaviour as aggressive, with strong winds carrying embers as far as one kilometre ahead of the main fire.
Evacuation orders and alerts were expanded overnight across parts of Peachland, Electoral Area West, the Brenda Mines area and nearby neighbourhoods. Highway 97 was closed in both directions between Peachland and an area south of Summerland, complicating travel and emergency access. At least 55 people were rescued by air support, according to regional emergency officials.
The B.C. Wildfire Service deployed air tankers, helicopters and ground crews as the fire moved toward buildings. Extremely dry conditions, receptive forest fuels and winds from the south and southwest contributed to its rapid spread. Health authorities also began relocating residents from two Summerland long-term-care facilities.
The wildfire is one of 104 active fires across British Columbia. Its cause remains unknown, and officials said the investigation is continuing. Emergency agencies urged residents in affected zones to follow evacuation instructions and monitor official updates as conditions continued to change. Authorities said the fire posed an immediate risk to life and safety, while the full extent of property damage remained unclear.