- The Bald Range wildfire broke out shortly after 5 p.m. PT on Friday about 15 kilometres from the city, and grew rapidly, forcing tactical evacuations.
- An 80-year-old woman "died suddenly" while trying to flee the fire with her family, and police believe her death was a result of the wildfire.
- RCMP confirmed a fatality in the explosive wildfire that forced mass evacuations from Summerland, B.C., over the weekend.
- As of Sunday, the fire had grown to 136 square kilometers in size, and about 12,000 residents along with people in surrounding areas including southern Peachland remain under evacuation orders.
- The Penticton Indian Band has declared a state of emergency, and smoke from the fire has led to multiple flight cancellations at the Kelowna airport.
- When Erick Thompson decided to flee with his family as a wildfire roared towards Summerland, B.C., around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, he also knew he had to keep filming.
- The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating, and there were no other known fatalities related to the fire.
- Interior Health helped transport more than 200 residents out of Summerland and into safe locations.
- Summerland's Chief Administrative Officer Graham Statt said downtown Summerland hasn't been destroyed, but there are active fires and hotspots around the community.
British Columbia's wildfire emergency has escalated, forcing the evacuation of approximately 12,000 residents from Summerland and nearby areas. The Bald Range wildfire, which erupted on Friday, has expanded to 136 square kilometers, leading to tragic consequences, including the death of an 80-year-old woman who was fleeing the flames.
The RCMP confirmed the woman's death, stating she "died suddenly" while attempting to escape with her family. Authorities are investigating, but no other fatalities have been reported. The fire's rapid growth has necessitated tactical evacuations, with firefighting helicopters deployed to assist.
Smoke from the wildfire has caused multiple flight cancellations at the Kelowna airport, further complicating the situation for evacuees. The Penticton Indian Band has declared a state of emergency, highlighting the widespread impact of the fire. Interior Health reported assisting over 200 residents in relocating to safety.
Despite the chaos, Summerland's Chief Administrative Officer, Graham Statt, reassured the public that downtown Summerland remains intact, stating, "There are active fires around the community still that are being dealt with... but downtown Summerland hasn’t been destroyed."
As the situation unfolds, local officials and residents are working together to navigate the challenges posed by this devastating wildfire, with many relying on social media for real-time updates and support.
“The Bald Range wildfire, which broke out Friday about 15 kilometres from the city, has prompted tactical evacuations and the Penticton Indian Band to declare a state of emergency. Interior Health helped transport more than 200 residents to safety, while smoke caused multiple flight cancellations at Kelowna airport.”
