'We've had a lot of close calls': Canada wildfire evacuees wonder if they still have homes

Earl Kurz, a 30-year resident of Peachland, a town overlooking Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada, is experiencing his first evacuation due to the Bald Range wildfire. This wildfire, which began on Friday, has rapidly expanded to cover 53 square miles (136 square kilometers) of area. Kurz described the destruction as "total incinerated," with only 12 inches of ash remaining in the burn area.

The fire remains uncontained as of Monday, and officials are still determining the number of homes lost. Over 12,000 residents in the area are under an evacuation order, and one elderly woman lost her life while attempting to flee. The Okanagan area, known for its vineyards and scenic beauty, has been facing extreme drought conditions for years.

As of July, the water level in Okanagan Lake had reached its lowest point since 1992. British Columbia's premier, David Eby, declared a state of emergency over the weekend, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and warned that the fires are moving "incredibly quickly." Many evacuees, like 18-year-old Keegan Radomski, are still uncertain if their homes have survived the fire.

The Bald Range wildfire is one of over 100 currently burning in British Columbia, with 70 of them igniting in the last week alone. The province's premier has declared a state of emergency, and climate change is cited as a significant factor in the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires in Canada.