A fast-moving wildfire in western Canada has forced thousands to flee their homes after doubling in size since ignition on Friday, officials confirmed Saturday.
The Bald Range fire now spans more than 36 square miles (95 square kilometres) across the Summerland and Okanagan-Similkameen districts of British Columbia, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The blaze remained out of control as of Saturday morning.
Erick Thompson, an emergency official with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, described it as one of the “quickest-moving, largest fires in such a short time” he had witnessed in the fire-prone region.
The district of Summerland, home to roughly 12,000 residents, was placed under a full evacuation order. Power failed across the area early Saturday. Hundreds of people living in care facilities, including senior housing, were being relocated to safer locations by Interior Health, the province’s publicly funded health authority.
“Throughout the night and into this morning, first responders, BC Wildfire Service crews, [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] officers, emergency management teams, and local communities worked tirelessly to keep people safe and fight the fire near Summerland,” British Columbia Premier David Eby posted on social media. “They continue to do everything possible to protect people and communities.”
Authorities have not yet determined how many structures have been lost. Evacuation orders and alerts were also issued for the neighbouring districts of Okanagan, Peachland, and additional parts of Okanagan-Similkameen.
The emergency’s personal toll emerged Friday evening when Thompson, who had been briefing media from the regional emergency operations centre, posted a video from his vehicle the next morning saying he had left to evacuate his own family. “I had to leave the EOC to come and get my family to leave this area. We’re heading south,” he said.
In Okanagan, residents struggled to evacuate horses, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC. Some owners left gates open hoping animals would find safety on their own, while others painted identification markings on livestock to aid later recovery.
The Bald Range fire is among hundreds burning across Canada this summer. Nearly 200 wildfires were active in Ontario during July, at one point driving air quality in Toronto to among the worst levels globally. Smoke from those fires drifted into the United States, affecting states including Minnesota and New York, prompting then-US President Donald Trump to threaten new tariffs on Canada.
Fire crews continue battling the Bald Range blaze as shifting winds and dry conditions challenge containment efforts.