- The Bald Range wildfire was first detected late on Friday evening and grew within hours to more than 100 sq km (39 sq miles) – nearly twice the size of the island of Manhattan – as it raced nearly 15km (9 miles) toward Okanagan Lake.
- Overnight Saturday, the entire community of Summerland, about 50km south-west of the city of Kelowna and home to about 12,000 people, was evacuated, along with a further 8,000 people around nearby Peachland.
- A total of 102 wildfires were raging across the province on Sunday, of which nearly half were categorised as out of control, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
- Canada’s minister of emergency management and community resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, said in a social media post on Sunday: “I approved a request for federal assistance from British Columbia to provide shelter and accommodations for people who have been forced to leave their homes.”
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the country’s federal police force, said they were investigating a possible fatality in the fire near Summerland.
- Professor Mike Flannigan of Thompson Rivers University warned that the rapidity of the fires’ spread was indicative of increasingly extreme blazes, and that conditions indicated the fire season could extend into the fall.
Canada’s federal government is stepping in to assist British Columbia as wildfires force 22,000 residents to evacuate. A total of 102 wildfires are currently active, with nearly half deemed 'out of control' by the BC Wildfire Service.3
The Bald Range wildfire, first detected late Friday, has rapidly expanded to over 100 sq km (39 sq miles), nearly doubling in size within hours and advancing 15 km (9 miles) toward Okanagan Lake. The entire community of Summerland, home to about 12,000 people, was evacuated, along with an additional 8,000 residents from nearby Peachland.12
Eleanor Olszewski, Canada’s minister of emergency management, confirmed the federal assistance, stating, “I approved a request for federal assistance from British Columbia to provide shelter and accommodations for people who have been forced to leave their homes.”4
Premier David Eby declared a state of emergency, describing the situation as “like a bomb going off.” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating a possible fatality linked to the fire near Summerland.5
Experts warn that the rapid spread of these fires reflects a trend of increasingly extreme wildfires in Canada and the US. Mike Flannigan, a wildland fire professor, noted, “It looks grim… there’s no rain,” suggesting that Canada may face fire years rather than just a summer fire season.67
“The blaze, first detected Friday evening, grew to over 100 sq km within hours, racing 15km toward Okanagan Lake. RCMP is investigating a possible fatality near Summerland, while professor Mike Flannigan warns the fire season could extend into fall, saying 'It looks grim … there's no rain.'”
The Guardian
