A fast-moving wildfire in a remote part of western Canada has spread rapidly, doubling in size since it was first detected on Friday, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
The Bald Range fire now occupies more than 36 sq miles (95 sq km) across the Summerland and Okanagan-Similkameen districts of British Columbia, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The district of Summerland, which has a population of around 12,000, was ordered to evacuate.
Fire Remains Out of Control
The fire remained "out of control" as of Saturday morning, said Erick Thompson, an emergency official with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. He described this as one of the "quickest-moving, largest fires in such a short time" he had seen in the fire-prone region.
Residents living in Summerland care facilities, including senior housing, were being relocated to safer areas, according to Interior Health, a publicly funded health authority in BC. Hundreds of residents were being relocated, and the power went out across the area, officials said early Saturday.
Residents Struggle to Evacuate Horses
In Okanagan, there are a lot of horses that residents have been struggling to evacuate, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported. Some owners left their gates open in the hope the animals would find their own way to safety, while others painted markings on their animals to make them easier to identify later.
Canadian Premier David Eby said on social media that first responders, BC Wildfire Service crews, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, emergency management teams, and local communities worked tirelessly to keep people safe and fight the fire near Summerland.
Hundreds of Wildfires Across Canada
This is not an isolated incident, as hundreds of wildfires have raged across Canada this summer, with nearly 200 burning in Ontario in July. The smoke from those Canadian wildfires drifted down into parts of the US, including Minnesota and New York, leading US President Donald Trump to threaten new tariffs on the US's northern neighbour.
The BC Wildfire Service and emergency responders are working to contain the fire, but it remains unclear how many structures have been destroyed in the blaze. The nearby districts of Okanagan, Peachland, and Okanagan-Similkameen also issued evacuation orders, as well as evacuation alerts in some areas.
Evacuation Orders Issued
Erick Thompson, the emergency official, had to leave the emergency operations centre to evacuate his own family. "I had to leave the EOC to come and get my family to leave this area. We're heading south," he said in a video posted from his car.
The situation remains dire, and residents are being advised to stay away from the affected areas. The BC Wildfire Service and emergency responders are working to contain the fire, but it will take time and effort to bring it under control.
Source: Joy Online
