The Bald Range fire near Summerland has grown to more than 100 square kilometres in roughly 24 hours, prompting Premier David Eby to declare a provincial state of emergency on Saturday. The BC Wildfire Service describes it as one of the most challenging fires the province has ever faced.
At least 55 people were rescued by helicopter on Friday night after they became trapped behind the fire line. Tactical evacuations continued through Saturday, though officials have not confirmed how many people may still be cut off. Evacuation orders cover the entire district of Summerland and part of neighbouring Peachland, affecting thousands of properties, while thousands more remain on alert.
Conditions described as unprecedented
Cliff Chapman, director of operations for the BC Wildfire Service, said the fire behaviour observed Friday night was unlike anything the service has encountered. "The conditions we are facing right now are conditions that we have never seen before," Chapman said. "When we see a fire start, when we see the smoke lift, we are going to be challenged and we may see fires do what we saw on this fire last night." He characterized conditions across the southern third of the province as explosive.
State of emergency declared
Premier Eby confirmed homes have been lost and properties destroyed, though the full toll may not be known for some time. "Some people became trapped as conditions changed very quickly and needed to be rescued," Eby said. "It remains a very dynamic and threatening situation."
Doug Holmes, mayor of Summerland, told Global News the Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley and Faulder areas were hit hard. He said the downtown core remains intact for now, but the fire continues to burn nearby.
Crews are working to establish containment lines while helicopters and air tankers support ground operations. The state of emergency grants the province extraordinary powers to coordinate resources and restrict travel in affected zones.
Based on reporting by Global News.