Canadian wildfire that forced 20,000 to flee may signal ‘new normal’
PENTICTON, British Columbia (AP) — A wildfire that forced more than 20,000 people from their homes in western Canada moved so quickly that crews had to abandon firefighting to…
A devastating wildfire in western Canada forced over 20,000 residents to evacuate their homes, potentially signaling a "new normal" in fire speed, according to British Columbia's premier. The Bald Range wildfire erupted near Summerland, a town of approximately 12,000 people in British Columbia's Okanagan region, on Friday. By Wednesday, the blaze had expanded to about 184 square kilometers (71 square miles) after destroying homes and tragically claiming the life of an 80-year-old woman.
British Columbia's premier, David Eby, stated that the wildfire's rapid movement surpassed wildfire modeling predictions and left residents with minimal time to evacuate. Officials have initiated damage assessments, but the region remains unsafe for residents to return, with no timeline in place. Fire crews are working to clear vegetation to slow the fire's spread, while officials warn that thunderstorms could exacerbate the situation by introducing erratic winds and increasing fire activity.
Highway 97, a crucial route through the area, remains closed. Premier Eby visited an evacuation reception center in Penticton and witnessed the emotional turmoil faced by evacuees. He expressed concern about the challenges displaced residents will face in accessing their medications. Officials are withholding further details on property losses until residents can be informed directly.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
