- A wildfire has forced evacuation orders and alerts in parts of Peachland overnight.
- The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen expanded its evacuation order around 3 a.m. Saturday to include Peachland's Upper Princeton and Renfrew neighbourhoods.
- The district declared a state of emergency Saturday, warning the fire posed a serious health and safety risk to people in the area.
- Several other areas remain on evacuation alert, including the Peachland watershed, Brenda Mines, Lower Princeton and Peachland's downtown core.
- Winds have contributed to the fire's rapid expansion and made it more difficult for aircraft to assist with suppression efforts. The wildfire service says spot fires have been reported almost one kilometre in front of the main fire.
A fast-moving wildfire near Summerland, B.C., has led to evacuation orders affecting over 20,000 residents. The Bald Range wildfire, first reported Friday afternoon, has rapidly expanded to over 5,000 hectares and is classified as Rank 5 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, indicating highly aggressive fire behavior.1
Evacuation orders cover the entire community of Summerland, home to about 12,000 people, and approximately 8,000 residents in and around Peachland. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen declared a state of emergency on Saturday, citing serious health and safety risks posed by the fire.23
The evacuation order was expanded around 3 a.m. Saturday to include Peachland’s Upper Princeton and Renfrew neighborhoods. Several other areas remain on evacuation alert, including the Peachland watershed and downtown core. Winds have exacerbated the fire's rapid expansion, complicating suppression efforts and leading to spot fires reported nearly one kilometre ahead of the main blaze.45
As the situation develops, officials continue to monitor the fire's behavior and its impact on local communities.
“The evacuation order expanded around 3 a.m. Saturday to include Upper Princeton and Renfrew neighbourhoods, while Peachland watershed, Brenda Mines, Lower Princeton and downtown core remain on alert. Winds have driven spot fires almost one kilometre ahead of the main fire, hampering aircraft suppression efforts.”
