A wildfire near Summerland, B.C., has forced the evacuation of the entire community, affecting around 20,000 residents. The blaze, known as the Bald Ridge wildfire, began about 15 km northwest of Summerland last Friday and rapidly expanded. Within three hours of being detected, it had grown to cover 50 square kilometres, according to reports (globalnews.ca).
Local residents, including Brian Callow, faced dangerous conditions as the fire spread. Callow, who owned a mushroom farm, tried to stay behind to protect his property but had to leave after embers from the fire posed a threat. He prioritized getting his dog out, followed by his wife and two children (castanet.net).
Firefighters from Alberta have been deployed to assist with containment efforts. Evacuation orders now cover not only Summerland but also Peachland, where approximately 8,000 people live. Authorities have not yet provided an update on the fire’s current size or progress (ca.news.yahoo.com).
