Bald Range wildfire grows to about 156 square km, thousands remain evacuated
Bald Range fire burning between Summerland and Peachland (Image Credit: Cariboo Wildfires & BC Information and Safety Page/facebook)
Update 2 p.m.
BC Wildfire Service said the Bald Range wildfire had reached 15,590 hectares after spreading another one to one-and-a-half kilometres overnight.
The fire continues to challenge crews around Summerland, with heavy equipment establishing a contingency line near the golf course and Kettle Valley Road.
Officials expect the fire to remain active today, with pockets of intermittent candling and similar growth possible.
Meantime, Penticton RCMP are asking for the public’s help as they investigate what caused the Bald Range wildfire.
Police want dashcam footage, photos and videos from Friday afternoon around Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road and the Crump and Trout Creek recreation sites.
The evacuation order remains in effect, and police say one man was arrested Sunday after being found inside the evacuated area.
Original story:
The wildfire burning near Summerland, has grown to about 136 square kilometres, with thousands of people still under evacuation orders as crews work to contain the blaze.
The Bald Range wildfire, which began Friday afternoon roughly 15 kilometres from Summerland, spread rapidly through the South Okanagan, prompting emergency evacuations in Summerland, Peachland and surrounding areas.
About 12,000 people remain under evacuation orders, while other communities have been placed on evacuation alert. The Penticton Indian Band has also declared a state of emergency.
Fire officials said dry conditions and strong winds continue to create challenging conditions for crews. BC Wildfire Service incident commander Nicole Bonnett says drought across the Okanagan is contributing to the fire’s rapid growth.
Crews were focusing Sunday on limiting the fire’s spread in the drainage between Fish Lake and Garnet Valley, while the southern edge of the blaze remains a concern.
Officials have warned that clearer skies and increasing winds could lead to more aggressive fire behaviour.
The fire has also sent heavy smoke across the region and disrupted air travel, with several flights cancelled at Kelowna International Airport.
Summerland officials said the downtown area remains intact, although structures have been destroyed elsewhere in the community. The full extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
Mayor Doug Holmes said there is no timeline for residents to return, with damaged power lines and possible contamination of the local water system among the issues that must be addressed before re-entry can begin.
Interior Health says it has helped move more than 200 people from Summerland to safer locations and is assisting families trying to reconnect with loved ones.
Penticton has become a main destination for people forced from their homes, although officials say accommodation is limited and evacuees are being encouraged to stay with friends or family where possible.
The Bald Range wildfire remains active, with firefighters continuing to work to slow its spread while evacuation orders and alerts remain in place across the region.
With files from The Canadian Press
