British Columbia declares state of emergency as wildfires force nearly 22,000 evacuees
All 12,000 residents of Summerland were ordered to leave after the Bold Range blaze expanded; officials say dozens of fires are active across the province.
A state of emergency has been declared across British Columbia as wildfires prompted evacuation orders affecting nearly 22,000 people, officials said today.
Premier David Eby said that all 12,000 residents of the Summerland district were ordered to leave their homes last night after the Bold Range fire rapidly spread into the community.
Scope of the fires and risks
Eby added that the province is dealing with dozens of wildfires, most of which are reported to be under control, and identified the Bold Range blaze as the most dangerous, saying it "represents a risk to life and public safety."
The evacuation orders cover a wide area as authorities work to move people out of harm’s way; officials gave the overall figure of nearly 22,000 people required to evacuate.
Provincial authorities have urged residents to comply with evacuation instructions and said they are monitoring fire behaviour closely as crews respond to the most serious blazes.
Photo: press material from the event
