Over 20,000 flee as B.C evacuation orders in full swing due to aggressive wildfire

More than 20,000 residents have been forced to evacuate British Columbia communities near Okanagan Lake overnight as the explosive wildfire continued to spread.

Evacuation orders cover the entire community of Summerland, population 12,000, while a further 8,000 were told to flee in and around Peachland, both on the western shore of the lake in the B.C. Interior.

The Bald Range wildfire was first reported on Friday afternoon, about 15 kilometres west of the community.

In just the span of a few hours, the blaze grew in size to more than 5,000 hectares. By Saturday morning, the BC Wildfire Service estimated the fire’s size at 9,500 hectares.

The BC Wildfire Service says it’s displaying aggressive rank 5 behaviour, with an organized flame front with a fast rate of spread and moderate to long-range spotting.

It also says gusty winds fuelled the quick growth and complicated the firefight for aircraft.

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen information officer Erick Thompson urged residents to leave immediately, describing it as one of the “quickest-moving, fastest-growing” wildfires the region has ever seen.

“The most important thing you can do is leave your property,” Thompson said early Saturday. “Out of an abundance of caution, you shouldn’t be here, especially if you have children.”

He acknowledged heavy traffic and crowded reception centres as thousands fled, urging people to check on neighbours while evacuating.

Residents have told Media that some homes have been lost to the fire.

Corey Charlesworth, who lives on Jones Flat Road near Summerland, said he rushed home from work in Kelowna after a neighbour warned him about the fire.

“I could tell right away that that fire was not 15 kilometres away anymore,” he said. “Every time I looked at it was 50 hectares, 400, 1,000, 5,000. It just exploded.”

Charlesworth said his main concern was for residents and livestock in nearby ranching areas.

“I just want everybody to get out, get out of the way of this fire and let the pros do their job,” he said.

He said he remained hopeful his home would be spared, crediting nearby orchard owners who turned on irrigation sprinklers and praising firefighters protecting the community.