An Okanagan wildfire evacuation is underway around Summerland, B.C., after a new blaze west of Okanagan Lake exploded in size within hours. Residents in the region are being told to leave immediately as the fire spreads with alarming speed. Emergency crews are racing to keep pace with the flames.

Social media videos appeared to show multiple houses and other structures on fire in Faulder, west of Summerland. Local residents posted that chunks of ash were falling from the sky as the fire intensified. This rapid escalation has caught many off guard.

Fire Explodes to 50 Square Kilometres in Hours

Erick Thompson, with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s emergency operations centre, said the fire was first detected at 5:30 p.m. Friday. However, it grew to 50 square kilometres in just about three hours, a pace that stunned officials.

He explained that the fire posed an immediate threat, and that those in the evacuation zone from Summerland north toward Peachland needed to get out. According to Thompson, it was one of the “quickest-moving, fastest-growing” fires the area had seen.

In addition, Thompson said in a video briefing that the fire was showing aggressive rank-five behaviour. This means it has a fast-moving flame front with “long-range spotting,” which could potentially start new fires ahead of the main blaze. As a result, containment efforts face serious challenges.

Evacuation Zone Stretches From Summerland to Peachland

The regional district urged residents to evacuate immediately if they were threatened by the Bald Range fire. Officials described the situation as posing a “significant risk to life.” Time is clearly of the essence for anyone still in the area.

Meanwhile, emergency crews continue to monitor the fire’s growth and adjust evacuation boundaries accordingly. Anyone within the designated zone should not wait for a follow-up alert before leaving. Families with pets, livestock, or mobility concerns are especially encouraged to depart early.

Second Major Fire in a Week for the Okanagan

This latest Okanagan wildfire evacuation comes about a week after the Bradley Creek fire to the north caused major destruction. That earlier blaze destroyed roughly 230 homes on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve and forced thousands of people to flee. Consequently, communities across the region are on high alert.

B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the new fire on social media, saying his thoughts were with the people of Summerland and the firefighters battling the blaze. His comments reflect growing concern as back-to-back wildfires strain emergency resources across the Okanagan.

The BC Wildfire Service confirmed the fire originated about 15 kilometres west of Summerland. Its cause remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as crews assess the damage. Residents are advised to monitor official channels for the latest evacuation information.

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