Thousands were ordered to evacuate after the Bald Range wildfire doubled in size and caused a power outage in Summerland. About 12,000 residents in Summerland and roughly 8,000 people in nearby areas were issued evacuation orders as the blaze remained uncontrolled. Premier David Eby declared a provincial state of emergency and urged immediate evacuation, while officials reported about 100 wildfires burning across British Columbia.
Bald Range Wildfire Forces Thousands To Evacuate, Prompts State Of Emergency In British Columbia
British Columbia Premier David Eby declared a state of emergency on Saturday.Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes as a massive wildfire spread through British Columbia. File Photo courtesy of British Columbia
Aug. 8 — Thousands of residents were ordered to leave their homes after the Bald Range wildfire expanded rapidly across western Canada on Saturday.
Officials said the Bald Range fire in British Columbia doubled in size after it was first reported on Friday. The blaze forced a power outage in the Summerland district and prompted mandatory evacuation orders for the town's roughly 12,000 residents.
Authorities also issued evacuation orders for about 8,000 additional people in nearby communities as crews struggled to contain the fire, which remained uncontrolled as of Saturday.
British Columbia Premier David Eby declared a provincial state of emergency and praised the response of frontline teams.
"Throughout the night and into this morning, first responders, BC Wildfire Service crews, RCMP officers, emergency management teams, and local communities worked tirelessly to keep people safe and fight the fire near Summerland," Eby wrote on X. "If you're under an evacuation order, leave now."
Officials reported roughly 100 wildfires burning across the province, stretching resources and complicating containment efforts. Local emergency management teams, the BC Wildfire Service and RCMP are coordinating evacuations and public safety updates.
Residents in affected areas are urged to follow evacuation orders immediately, monitor official alerts for route and shelter information, and avoid the affected regions to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
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