A wildfire has forced the evacuation of the entire community of Summerland, home to approximately 12,000 people, as the blaze continues to grow. The emergency was declared overnight, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for both Summerland and surrounding areas, including Peachland, which has a population of around 8,000 residents (edmontonjournal.com).
The fire, known as the Bald Range fire, ignited shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday and spread rapidly, leading to the full evacuation of the municipality. As of Saturday morning, the blaze had grown to cover 9,500 hectares, according to the BC Wildfire Service (castanet.net). Officials have confirmed that evacuation orders remain in effect, with no immediate indication of a change in the situation.
Residents have been advised to leave the area immediately, with emergency services working to ensure the safety of all affected individuals. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.
