A fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia’s Okanagan region has forced thousands of people from their homes, destroyed structures and sent dramatic videos of flames and smoke across social media as firefighters battle dangerous conditions.
The Bald Range wildfire, in Canada, burning near Summerland and Peachland, grew rapidly on Friday and Saturday, prompting evacuation orders and alerts across the region, CBC News reported. British Columbia declared a provincial state of emergency on Saturday as more than 20,000 people were forced to flee their homes.
Summerland BC fire: Videos, photos show devastation
Videos, photos shared online showed flames moving through residential areas, with images of burning structures and thick smoke highlighting the scale of the emergency.
Summerland wildfire forces mass evacuations
The Bald Range fire had expanded to roughly 9,500 hectares (23,500 acres) by Saturday, according to Reuters. Officials described the fire as exceptionally intense, with flames generating their own lightning and creating conditions that made firefighting and evacuation operations more difficult.
{{/usCountry}}The Bald Range fire had expanded to roughly 9,500 hectares (23,500 acres) by Saturday, according to Reuters. Officials described the fire as exceptionally intense, with flames generating their own lightning and creating conditions that made firefighting and evacuation operations more difficult.
{{/usCountry}}Summerland and Peachland were among the communities affected as authorities ordered residents to leave areas threatened by the advancing flames. Evacuees headed toward places including Kelowna and Penticton, while power outages were also reported.
Summerland also issued a boil-water advisory after untreated water entered the municipal system, adding another disruption for residents already displaced by the fire.
The fire also affected Highway 97, a major route through the Okanagan, as authorities worked to keep residents and emergency crews safe.
Social media reactions pour in
As evacuation orders expanded, videos showing flames, smoke and burning homes spread across social media, prompting emotional reactions from viewers.
One user, reacting to footage from the fire, wrote: “I feel for the Canadians, they have lost everything. Truly horrific fire.”
Another user blamed the scale of the disaster on climate change, writing: “I detest people who deny the proven fact of global warming. We could have put stopgap measures in place decades ago. Decades.”
A separate post questioned: “Why isn’t the federal govt getting more involved and sending the military to help?"
PM Carney reacts
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the emergency as evacuations continued.
“Thousands of people in Summerland, B.C., are being evacuated as intense wildfires threaten their community,” Carney said in a post on X. He thanked firefighters and first responders and said the federal government was prepared to support British Columbia's response.
Hot and dry conditions in British Columbia have raised the risk of wildfires spreading, with around 1,500 firefighters battling more than 100 active blazes across the province, Reuters reported. Authorities have issued 40 evacuation orders and 49 evacuation alerts as the fire threat continues to grow.