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52m ago

Suspected Arson Probes as B.C. Wildfires Trigger Mass Evacuations

Suspected arson probes accompany fast-growing wildfires forcing mass evacuations, stretching firefighting resources.

Wildfire crews work on a planned ignition for the Pear Lake wildfire in B.C.'s Cariboo region in this Wednesday, July 29, 2026 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout, B.C. Wildfire Service (Mandatory Credit)
Properties on Okanagan Indian Band land that were destroyed by the Bradley Creek wildfire are seen, in Vernon, B.C., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson said on Tuesday that about 230 homes have been destroyed in one of the worst wildfire losses in recent Canadian history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Darryl Dyck
The Bald Range wildfire exploded in size near Summerland on Friday night.
Lights are seen illuminated on a boat and dock at a waterfront home as smoke from the Quilpituk Creek wildfire fills the air while the fire reflects off Okanagan Lake near Fintry, B.C., late Monday, August 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Overview

  • The Bald Range fire, which erupted Friday, expanded to about 5,000 hectares in a few hours and prompted an urgent evacuation order and a declared state of emergency for the District of Summerland.
  • The Pear Lake blaze now exceeds 1,300 square kilometres and has produced expanded evacuation orders in the southern Interior and Cariboo regions.
  • The Bradley Creek fire has caused catastrophic structural loss with Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson reporting about 230 homes destroyed.
  • RCMP have opened investigations into suspicious brush and park fires in the Shuswap, Kelowna and Belcarra and are seeking witnesses and video from people who were in those areas.
  • Roughly 100 active fires are burning across the province with about half uncontrolled, more than 1,400 personnel plus international crews deployed, and officials warning that smoke, wind and poor visibility are grounding aircraft and making evacuations and suppression more dangerous.