British Columbia declares state of emergency as fast-moving wildfire forces 20,000+ to evacuate

British Columbia declared a state of emergency Saturday after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate communities along Okanagan Lake in western Canada, as the province grappled with more than 100 active fires amid hot, windy weather and prolonged drought.

The state of emergency gives the province additional powers to restrict travel and secure accommodations for evacuees that might otherwise be unavailable, per British Columbia Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene.

The Bald Range wildfire, first reported Friday evening, grew to more than 39 square miles within hours, racing roughly 9 miles toward Okanagan Lake as it tore through residential areas north of Summerland. Summerland, home to approximately 12,000 people, was ordered evacuated overnight. About 8,000 people in and around nearby Peachland were ordered evacuated as well. A British Columbia Wildfire Service perimeter map showed the fire had burned through areas containing numerous homes and reached Okanagan Lake.

Premier David Eby characterized the fire's expansion as "a remarkable escalation in fire activity," noting that the blaze became so intense it generated its own weather system and lightning. Eby's office confirmed "significant structure loss" but said officials could not yet assess total damage because the area remained an active fire zone.

British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said 18 firefighting aircraft rescued more than 50 people. Highway 97, a major route through the region, was closed between Peachland and Penticton as roads filled with evacuees.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they are investigating a possible wildfire death near Summerland, though hazardous conditions have prevented authorities from confirming the fatality. Summerland resident Anette Boulet described the approaching fire as looking "like doomsday" and fled before dawn with her family and five dogs, uncertain whether her home remained standing. Erick Thompson, an emergency official with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, abandoned the emergency operations center himself and evacuated his family.

Cliff Chapman, the British Columbia Wildfire Service's director of operations, called conditions "explosive" and warned that other communities could face similarly fast-moving fires. British Columbia experiences an average of 1,600 wildfires per year, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

More than 100 wildfires are currently burning across the province, with nearly half reported out of control.