Canada puts the military on standby as British Columbia wildfires kill 1 and displace thousands
Officials said 20,000 people fled as hot, windy weather and drought drove nearly half of the province's wildfires out of control.
- On Monday, Canada placed the Canadian Armed Forces on standby to assist British Columbia as wildfires forced 20,000 people to flee their homes, with Defense Minister David McGuinty confirming the military stands ready to respond if formally requested.
- The Bald Range wildfire grew to about 156 square kilometres by Monday, up from 136 square kilometres the day before, overwhelming suppression efforts. British Columbia Minister of Forests Ravi Parmer reported 19 helicopters could not halt the blaze due to its extreme intensity.
- Residents described the evacuation as "pandemonium" after Summerland and Peachland were ordered evacuated Saturday night, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirming an 80-year-old woman died while fleeing near Summerland.
- Mayor Doug Holmes warned residents to brace for widespread home destruction, stating there is no set timetable for returning to Summerland as downed power lines and hazardous buildings must be assessed first.
- Canada has endured increasingly destructive wildfire seasons in recent years, forcing mass evacuations across the country. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged the federal government would continue supporting British Columbia through the crisis.
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From geckos to goats and livestock, B.C. wildfires affect thousands of animals
The ferocious wildfire burning in British Columbia's south Okanagan region has claimed one life and displaced more than 20,000 people, but its impacts go beyond human victims, with tens of thousands of farm animals and pets also affected. The Bald Range fire threatening Summerland, B.C., and surroun...
Steelworkers Humanity Fund donates $30,000 for wildfire relief in British Columbia
TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $30,000 to support individuals, families and communities evacuated by recent wildfires in British Columbia. Hot and dry conditions across much of British Columbia have contributed to another difficult wildfire season, forcing thousands of people from their homes and creating uncertainty for […]
British Columbia wildfire that has forced 20,000 to flee grew overnight, officials say
WEST KELOWNA, British Columbia (AP) — A deadly wildfire in Western Canada that has forced some 20,000 people to flee grew overnight even without strong winds, challenging efforts to contain it and fully assess the damage, authorities said Tuesday.
On Tuesday, reinforcements are scheduled to arrive in British Columbia to fight a deadly forest fire raging on the shores of Lake Okanagan that forced 20,000 people to evacuate.
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Mexican reinforcements arriving for wildfire fight in Summerland, B.C.
PENTICTON — Reinforcements are arriving in the battle against a deadly wildfire on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the southern B.C. Interior that has forced 20,000 people to evacuate. Hugh Murdoch with the BC Wildfire Service has said 100 Mexican firef...
Fire spreads rapidly in British Columbia, fears drought will worsen situation
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