B.C. wildfire showing little new growth after forcing thousands to flee

PENTICTON, British Columbia – A wildfire that forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the British Columbia Interior has shown little new growth, according to reports. Dawn Wertz, a resident from Summerland, described the scene when ashes the size of loonies began falling during a celebration for her niece’s 21st birthday. The Bald Range fire, which initially spread across more than 100 square kilometres, has since remained largely unchanged, reflecting the geography and the efforts of BC Wildfire Service crews.

The fire declared a provincial state of emergency due to significant structure loss. About 10,000 homes are under evacuation orders in the affected areas, while another 3,300 homes are under evacuation alerts. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.