A state of emergency has been declared in British Columbia after the Bald Range wildfire expanded to more than 39 square miles (103 km²), doubling in size since it was first detected on Friday.
Premier David Eby likened the inferno to a “bomb going off,” noting that the flames were so intense they produced their own weather and sparked lightning.
The fire has forced around 20,000 residents to evacuate, including people in Summerland’s 12,000‑person population and those in nearby Peachland.
Hundreds of farms, horses and businesses are at risk; many residents in senior housing and other facilities have been relocated for safety.
BC Wildfire Service officials are still fighting the blaze, while the provincial government uses emergency powers to enforce travel restrictions, secure supplies and prevent price gouging.
Caption: Smoke rises from the Bald Range wildfire over a residential street in Summerland.
