B.C. premier declares wildfire state of emergency

B.C. declared a provincial state of emergency as a fast-moving wildfire in the Okanagan forced thousands from their homes and officials warned of extremely dangerous fire conditions.

Premier David Eby announced the declaration Saturday afternoon, saying the rapidly growing Bald Range fire marks a significant shift in the province’s wildfire situation.

He said the lead commander on the fire, who had been up all night, described it as being “like a bomb going off in the Summerland region.”

Homes and other properties have been destroyed, while some people were trapped as conditions changed rapidly and had to be rescued, Eby said.

“Right now our full focus is saving lives and supporting rescue efforts,” Eby said.

Air evacuations are underway for people cut off by the fire, while emergency crews continue search-and-rescue operations.

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Crews worked through the night alongside local fire departments, RCMP, search-and-rescue teams and other emergency responders. Firefighting aircraft were also repurposed to evacuate people trapped behind fire lines.

The province says 18 aircraft have been used to rescue more than 50 people from the fire.

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Eby said he has also spoken with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who pledged the federal government’s full support.

The Bald Range wildfire spread rapidly toward Summerland on Friday, triggering large-scale evacuations across the South Okanagan.

More than 20,000 people across B.C. have now been forced from their homes, according to provincial emergency officials, making it the largest evacuation event in the province so far this summer.

Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene said the state of emergency will give the province additional powers that can be used quickly if needed, including securing accommodations or imposing local travel restrictions.

No travel restrictions are currently in place, but the province is asking people to avoid non-essential travel to Summerland and other affected communities.

Eby said the declaration could also allow the province to restrict travel, prevent price gouging or ration fuel if necessary. The state of emergency does not unlock additional firefighting resources or funding, officials said.

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Highway 97 was closed as the fire spread and evacuation routes were affected. In some cases, people became isolated by the flames and had to be rescued, according to Eby.

BC Wildfire Service director of provincial operations Cliff Chapman described the fire as one of the most challenging the agency has faced.

Conditions across B.C.’s southern Interior are extremely volatile.

Chapman warned there will be more evacuation orders this fire season as conditions deteriorate and said officials expect to remain in an intense wildfire response through the rest of August and into September.

There have been 70 new wildfires in B.C. over the past seven days, with 105 active fires burning across the province as of Saturday morning.

More than 2,000 personnel are involved in the response, including around 500 firefighters and incident management personnel from outside B.C. are also in the province, including resources from elsewhere in Canada, Mexico and Australia.

Officials said those crews had been requested before the Bald Range fire erupted in anticipation of worsening conditions.

The province is urging anyone under an evacuation order to leave immediately and those under an alert to be prepared to go.

Officials are also urging anyone who can help family and friends have a place to stay to “please do so, as it allows us to dedicate resources to those who are more vulnerable.”

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