Overview
- The Bald Range fire exploded overnight Friday into Saturday, growing to roughly 9,500 hectares and closing the 15-kilometre gap to Summerland within hours.
- The District of Summerland declared a local state of emergency and officials ordered more than 20,000 people to evacuate, including all of Summerland and about 8,000 residents around Peachland.
- Provincial authorities confirmed significant structure loss, the RCMP is investigating a possible wildfire-linked death in Meadow Valley, and Summerland lost power and issued a boil-water advisory after its treatment plant was bypassed.
- Aircraft and helicopters were diverted from firefighting to carry out tactical rescues that saved dozens, while roughly 1,500 firefighters plus international crews and aircraft were mobilized to support the response.
- The blaze comes during a severe B.C. fire season driven by hot, dry and windy conditions and officials say rising temperatures and unstable weather will complicate containment and delay full damage and safety assessments.