Wildfire forces 20,000 evacuations in western Canada

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:27:00 +0000

A wildfire called the Bald Range burns in Summerland, British Columbia, late Saturday, August 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Canadian officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday (August 9, 2026) after a fast-moving wildfire in the western province of British Columbia forced the overnight evacuation of more than 20,000 people, including some who were airlifted to safety.

Winds fanned the Bald Range wildfire to grow rapidly late on Friday (August 7), pushing flames into the Summerland area and affecting communities throughout the surrounding valleys.

“We know there have been significant losses of homes and property. We also know that some people became trapped as conditions changed quickly,” British Columbia Premier David Eby said in a statement on Saturday.

“Air evacuations are underway for people who remain isolated behind the fire perimeter,” Eby said.

The Bald Range fire covered an estimated area of 10,341 hectares (25,552 acres) as of early Sunday and was considered out of control, according to the BC Wildfire Service website.

Kelly Greene, the province’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, declared a state of emergency.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was “investigating to confirm” a possible fatality reported by a Meadow Valley resident.

Officials have yet to provide figures on casualties or damage.

CTV News reported more than 50 people had to be airlifted out of the community of Faulder as flames advanced.

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted his gratitude to firefighters and first responders on X, thanking them for “working tirelessly to keep people safe.”

“The federal government stands ready to help and support the government of British Columbia in these efforts. I’m keeping everyone forced from their homes in my thoughts and hoping they can return safely soon,” Mr. Carney said.

The fire was first reported early Friday evening, and Eby warned on Saturday (August 8) it “remains extremely active and significant challenges remain.”

The BC Wildfire Service reported a total of 102 active wildfires in the province as of early Sunday (August 9), with nearly half of them deemed out of control.

“Over the last 24 hours, extreme fire behaviour was seen in southern B.C. due to the continuous hot and dry conditions,” the service said.

Emergency response efforts were hampered by “elevated fire behaviour coupled with severely poor visibility,” it added.

Human-induced climate change doubled the likelihood of the extreme fire conditions behind this year’s Canadian wildfires, researchers at the World Weather Attribution group said this week.

Published – August 09, 2026 08:57 pm IST

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Canadian Town Threatened By Wildfire Likely To Avoid Direct Hit

admin — Tue, 14 May 2024 19:58:28 +0000

Some 135 active fires are burning of which 40 are out of control across Canada.

Toronto:

A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, in rural British Columbia has grown in size but is moving away from the town, offering some relief to residents who were forced to evacuate, a provincial wildfire service said on Tuesday.

Some 3,000 residents had to flee the town after the fire was discovered on May 10, and is believed to be human caused, the agency added.

Still, across Canada some 135 active fires are burning of which 40 are out of control. The Environment Canada has issued air quality advisories on Tuesday for British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.

Smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia have worsened air quality and reduced visibility in northwest Alberta, Environment Canada said.

The agency forecasts a wind shift on Thursday, resulting in some improvement, but additional fires burning near the Northwest Territories border are likely to contribute to continued poor air quality.

“Wildfire smoke will spread across parts of northern Alberta today and will continue on Wednesday,” Environment Canada said.

Wildfire season in Canada typically runs from April, when the snow melts, until September or October when cooler temperatures and increased precipitation helps dampen fire activity.

Last year, Canada recorded its worst-ever wildfire season, with over 6,000 fires torching some 18.5 million hectares (45 million acres) simultaneously in the east and west of the country, according to Natural Resources Canada.

A number of active fires in the province of Manitoba has resulted in evacuation of thousands of residents in the town of Cranberry Portage, according to a fire bulletin from the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Canada wildfire – Artifex.News

Wildfire forces 20,000 evacuations in western Canada

Canadian Town Threatened By Wildfire Likely To Avoid Direct Hit