Summerland, B.C., residents ordered to evacuate due to fast-moving wildfire

The entire District of Summerland has been ordered to evacuate as the Bald Range wildfire continues to grow.

The district declared a state of emergency on Saturday, stating the blaze poses a risk to life and safety.

Highway 97 is now closed in both directions due to the fire. The fire has also resulted in the loss of power through the district, officials said in an update early this morning. 

The fire started about 15 kilometres northwest of Summerland, which is on the southwest end of Okanagan Lake, around 250 kilometres east of Vancouver. According to the 2021 census, Summerland’s population is more than 12,000.

The Bald Range fire grew to 50 square kilometres in three hours after it was first detected at 5:30 p.m. PT on Friday, said Erick Thompson with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s emergency operations centre.

According to a B.C. Wildfire Service update just after 7:40 a.m. PT on Saturday, the fire has grown to 95 square kilometres.

–With files from Jillian Kestler-D’Amours