Over 20,000 Flee Wildfires as British Columbia Declares State of Emergency

British Columbia declared a state of emergency after a fast-moving wildfire forced large-scale evacuations across the province’s southern interior. Officials said the Bald Range fire nearly doubled in size overnight, reaching about 9,500 hectares (23,500 acres), and evacuation orders were issued for Summerland, Peachland and nearby areas west of Okanagan Lake. Premier David Eby described the blaze as creating its own extreme conditions. More than 20,000 residents were ordered to flee, with some requiring rescue as the situation shifted quickly.