🚑 Breaking & Incidents
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Bald Range fire mapped at more than 100 square kilometres and called “explosive”. The BC Wildfire Service reported the blaze grew to over 100 square kilometres within 24 hours of sparking near Summerland on Friday. Premier David Eby declared a provincial State of Emergency as crews reported helicopter rescues of at least 55 people and thousands of properties under evacuation orders.
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Premier David Eby declares provincial State of Emergency as wildfire forces mass evacuations. Eby said more than 20,000 people across B.C. have been forced from their homes and confirmed 18 aircraft helped rescue more than 50 people from the Bald Range fire. The province mobilized local fire departments, RCMP, search-and-rescue teams and repurposed firefighting aircraft for evacuations.
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Entire Summerland ordered to evacuate — about 12,000 residents under order. The evacuation order issued Friday night covers Summerland on Okanagan Lake’s west side after the wildfire grew to more than 5,000 hectares within hours and exhibited aggressive rank 5 behaviour, with spotting up to a kilometre ahead of the main fire.
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RCMP report a possible fatality from the Summerland wildfire; coroner investigating. Southeast District RCMP said one Meadow Valley resident reported a possible fatality and that the BC Coroners Service is working with police to confirm the case amid hazardous, intermittent communications in the region.
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Large numbers of seniors in residential care were relocated, some rerouted via a four- to five-hour trip. Health teams moved dozens of care-home residents from Summerland to Kelowna and other facilities after Highway 97 closed; one transport that normally takes under 45 minutes required rerouting through Princeton and Osoyoos and lasted about four to five hours.
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Volunteer groups rescued dozens of livestock: 52 horses, 25 goats and six sheep saved. Teams working through the night reported saving at least 52 horses, 25 goats and six sheep from the Summerland area and the B.C. Livestock Producers Co-op opened its Okanagan Falls stockyard with more space available in Kamloops.
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Video captures Faulder residents rescuing dogs from a vehicle engulfed in flames. Jarrot Stolar told Global News his vehicle’s side was covered in flames as they pulled dogs free, and he sustained minor burns while saying he does not yet know whether his home remains standing.
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Global News footage shows the Bald Range fire’s night growth and size at 10,340.7 hectares. Cameras recorded rapid expansion over 45 seconds after the fire sparked about 5:30 p.m.; the province listed the fire at 10,340.7 hectares as of 3 p.m. Saturday and crews described repeatedly changing, dangerous conditions.
📰 Also Today
- Photos show Bald Range fire grew to about 9,500 hectares.
- Daily wildfire round-up published for Aug. 8.
- Fast-moving wildfire forced all of Summerland to evacuate.
- Scientist says B.C. wildfires likely to persist well into fall.
- Entire community of Summerland ordered to evacuate due to wildfire.
- B.C. company to buy and convert 10 military aircraft for firefighting.
- Meteor shower forecast includes partial solar eclipse on viewing night.
- Haida Gwaii shaken by magnitude 4.3 earthquake in B.C. waters.
- Metro Vancouver bus operators to launch job action after rejecting 2nd tentative deal.
- Over 50 violations found during North Pacific illegal fishing crackdown.
- OKIB member says few hotels and emergency services available for evacuees.
- Organizations adapt to a summer of smoke in B.C.’s Interior.
- Vancouver-born NBA player died from effects of heroin and cocaine, authorities say.
