THE LATEST:

• B.C. declares state of emergency amid growing wildfire threat
• Nearly 22,000 people forced from their homes across B.C.
• Bald Range wildfire near Summerland grows to 103 square kilometres
• Bradley Creek wildfire now being held
• Parts of Highway 97, Highway 1, Westside Road remain closed
• More than 100 active wildfires across B.C., half classified as out of control
• The French Bar Creek and Bonanza Creek wildfires may combine in coming days

Wildfire threatens Summerland

About 12,000 people from Summerland and thousands more from the surrounding area remain evacuated from their homes on Sunday due to the Bald Range fire, while evacuation alerts stretch south to the edge of Penticton and north through Peachland to Highway 97C.

In a Sunday update just after 9:30 a.m. PT, the B.C. Wildfire Service said the wildfire is displaying extreme Rank 5 and 6 behaviour — the latter being the highest rank a wildfire can reach.

Crews observed rapid rates of spread and embers carried one kilometre ahead of the main fire, starting spot fires.

“Fire behaviour at this intensity is extremely volatile and aggressive, which makes direct attack unsafe for ground crews,” the service said on Sunday.

Most evacuees have headed to Penticton for support, where they are being urged to stay with family or friends if they can due to limited accommodations.

Interior Health is extending hours at the Penticton and West Kelowna urgent and primary care centres on Sunday for people who need access to non-emergency care.

Premier David Eby said homes have been lost in the fire, though officials have yet to say how many.

The RCMP said it is also investigating a possible fatality in the Meadow Valley area northwest of the city.

The fire, first spotted Friday evening, grew so rapidly it forced wildfire crews to use helicopters to rescue dozens of people cut off by the flames, officials said Saturday. As of Saturday night it had burned 103 square kilometres.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says its top priorities are building control lines, protecting structures and ongoing search and rescue operations.

Extreme fire behaviour

The provincial government declared a state of emergency on Saturday, amid what Eby called “a remarkable escalation in fire activity.”

BCWS director of wildfire operations Cliff Chapman said prolonged hot and dry weather has left southern B.C. facing “explosive” fire conditions “we have never seen before.”

Thunderstorms forecast for parts of the interior could also bring dry lightning on Sunday, the BCWS said.

There are over 100 wildfires burning across B.C., including the 485 square kilometre Ainslie Creek wildfire east of Boston Bar, which continues to expand.

The BCWS says to the north it has grown within nine kilometres of Highway 8, triggering a new evacuation order from the Nooaitch Indian Band, while to the east it is now within 12 kilometres of Highway 5.

The Bradley Creek wildfire, which is believed to have destroyed at least 230 properties on Okanagan Indian Band land, was classified as “being held” on Saturday, meaning it is not expected to grow under current conditions.

However, thousands of people remain evacuated from their homes due to that fire and the 12.4 square kilometre Quilpituk Creek fire, both burning at the north end of Okanagan Lake.

The massive Pear Lake wildfire, which has forced the evacuation of Clinton and 70 Mile House and destroyed structures on about 120 properties, grew slightly on Saturday to 1,429 square kilometres.

Highway closures

The Bald Range fire has closed Highway 97 from the south end of Peachland to Kickaninee Provincial Park.

Further up Okanagan Lake, the Quilpituk Creek fire has closed Westside Road for 50 kilometres between Lake Okanagan Resort and Highway 97 North.

Highway 97 is also closed for 60 kilometres in the Clinton area between Loon Lake Road and 76 Mile Frontage Road due to the Big Bar Complex wildfires.

Highway 1 remains closed for about 40 kilometres between Yale and Boston Bar due to the Brunswick Lake complex.