The Bald Range wildfire is currently raging out of control and has expanded to approximately 5,000 hectares as of early Saturday, following evacuation orders issued in other regional districts earlier this week. The fire started around 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Summerland, according to BC Wildfire Service.
The Summerland district, located about 45 kilometers from Kelowna, reported a power outage on Saturday due to the wildfire’s effects and has issued a boil water advisory for residents, noting that untreated water has entered the system after the water treatment facility was bypassed due to the wildfire threat.
With a population of roughly 12,000, based on the 2021 census, Summerland is facing significant challenges.
Across Canada, regions such as Ontario and Quebec have been battling wildfires this year, exacerbated by hot, dry conditions fueling fires in densely forested areas. Assistance has been provided by Mexico, Australia, France, and New Zealand to aid in firefighting efforts.
In British Columbia, where the risk of new fires is heightened by dry conditions and potential lightning-induced holdover fires, about 1,500 firefighting personnel are actively working throughout the province. The government has issued 39 evacuation orders alongside 49 alerts.
Premier David Eby stated earlier this week that the province has adequate resources and is prepared with additional national and international firefighting teams and aircraft. This year, wildfires have consumed 3.9 million hectares across Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Also Read: Typhoon Dolphin hits Japan’s Okinawa, China shuts ports ahead of landfall
First Published: Aug 8, 2026 9:18 PM IST
