SUMMERLAND, Canada — Wildfires sweeping across western Canada and the western United States have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, destroyed or damaged hundreds of structures and left communities on alert as firefighters continue efforts to contain multiple blazes.
- More than 20,000 people were forced to evacuate communities around Okanagan Lake in British Columbia.
- The fast-moving Bald Range wildfire has destroyed homes and prompted evacuations in Summerland and nearby Peachland.
- An 80-year-old woman died while trying to escape the wildfire in British Columbia, according to Canadian authorities.
- Three wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have damaged or destroyed about 920 structures.
Wildfires force mass evacuations in British Columbia
The Bald Range wildfire, first reported Friday evening, spread rapidly through the South Okanagan region of British Columbia. More than 20,000 residents were forced to leave communities along Okanagan Lake over the weekend as flames threatened homes and emergency crews carried out rescues.
Summerland, a community of about 12,000 people, was among the areas affected. The fire also prompted the evacuation of about 8,000 people in and around nearby Peachland.
British Columbia declared a state of emergency on Saturday as authorities responded to the rapidly changing conditions. Some residents were taken to evacuation centres, while others waited away from their homes for information about the fire.
80-year-old woman dies while fleeing wildfire
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Sunday that an 80-year-old woman died while attempting to escape the wildfire that triggered evacuations across the Okanagan Lake region.
The fire also forced residents to make hurried departures in the early hours of the morning. Summerland resident Anette Boulet said she and her family left their home around 4:30 a.m. Saturday as smoke covered the area and flames moved toward the community.
The evacuation experience left residents facing uncertainty over whether their homes and belongings would survive the fire.
Federal assistance approved for evacuees
Eleanor Olszewski, Canada’s minister of emergency management and community resilience, said Sunday that she had approved British Columbia’s request for federal assistance.
The support will provide shelter and accommodation for people forced from their homes by the wildfires as communities continue to deal with the emergency.
Some evacuees also had to find ways to protect and transport animals. Summerland resident Greg Krauter was forced to leave his property with seven goats during the night and brought them to an evacuation centre in Penticton.
Spokane wildfires leave residents on alert
In Washington state, firefighters continued cleanup and containment work on three wildfires in the Spokane area. The fires have burned for more than a week, but officials said Sunday that none of them were continuing to grow.
Fire crews were conducting “mop-up operations” near containment lines as residents in threatened communities remained watchful. The fires have damaged or destroyed approximately 920 structures.
Laurie Allen, who fled Nine Mile Falls north of Spokane with her husband and pets, said she later learned that her home appeared to have survived, although it was covered in ash. Roads into the neighbourhood remained closed Sunday.
Malden evacuation warning eased
Residents of Malden, a small rural community about 35 miles south of Spokane, had been told Saturday to evacuate immediately. By Sunday, officials reduced the evacuation level and advised residents to remain prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsened.
John Goyke, whose company operates Malden’s water system, said relatively calm winds and a lack of fire progression had improved the immediate situation. Residents were also being asked to conserve water so supplies could be used by firefighters if necessary.
Malden has experienced devastating wildfire damage before. In 2020, much of the community was destroyed, including its fire station, post office, city hall and library.
Two pilots killed fighting Utah wildfire
The wildfire emergency also turned deadly in Utah, where two helicopter pilots were killed when their aircraft crashed while fighting a wildfire in the Fishlake National Forest on Friday.
Crews reached the crash site on Saturday after steep and difficult terrain, combined with ongoing fire activity, prevented an earlier confirmation of the deaths.
Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said firefighters encountered smoke from both the crash site and an active fire moving toward them. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the helicopter crash.
Western wildfire crisis continues
The latest fires have left communities across western Canada and the United States dealing with evacuations, property damage and dangerous firefighting conditions. While some areas have seen fire activity stabilize, residents in threatened communities remain prepared to leave if conditions change.
Authorities continue to focus on containment, emergency shelter and support for displaced residents as firefighters work to prevent further spread.
