Wildfires force 20,000 to flee as British Columbia declares state of emergency

Key Points:

• British Columbia declared a state of emergency as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and forced over 20,000 people to evacuate communities along Okanagan Lake, including the entire town of Summerland and parts of Peachland.
• More than 100 wildfires are burning across the province, with nearly half out of control due to hot, windy weather and prolonged drought conditions.
• The Bald Range wildfire rapidly expanded to about 50 square kilometers within hours, trapping some residents and prompting rescue operations involving firefighting helicopters.
• Emergency officials described the fire as one of the fastest-growing in the region's history, leading to widespread evacuations and significant disruption, with some officials forced to leave their posts to evacuate their own families.
• British Columbia's state of emergency grants authorities additional powers to manage the crisis, including restricting travel and securing accommodations for evacuees amid an increasingly severe wildfire season linked to climate change.