A dangerous new wildfire west of Summerland, B.C, has triggered an evacuation order for the entire district. District officials issued the order, which went into effect at 12:10 a.m. local time, along with a declaration of a state of emergency. The order states that the Bald Range Wildfire is a significant threat to the health, safety, and welfare of persons in the evacuation area. The district lists its population as 12,042, as of 2021. The blaze was first reported at 5:30 p.m. Friday, but it has since exploded in size, burning 50 square kilometres. The region’s emergency information officer, Erick Thompson, said it was one of the “quickest-moving, fastest-growing” wildfires the area had seen. While waiting for their property to be added to the evacuation zone earlier Friday night, Summerland homeowner Kerry Gold and her husband, Mike Elsinga, said they could see flames licking the skies beyond the mountains. With the evacuation order now given, Gold’s preparations -- their bags packed, cat-carrier standing by and plans to help a disabled friend in town -- should help ease their escape. Elsinga added that you can’t carry much, and after looking out for family, friends and pets, everything else is replaceable. Early Saturday morning, Central Okanagan Emergency Management issued an evacuation order covering an area south of Peachland, from Highway 97 to Darke Lake Park. The BC Wildfire Service say 104 active blazes are burning across the province this morning, and the cause of the Bald Range fire remains under investigation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2026.
