A worker sets up signs on a closed section of Highway 97 south of Peachland, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gary Nylander
The Bald Range wildfire, west of Summerland, B.C., exploded in size to more than 100 square kilometres by Saturday afternoon, forcing thousands to flee as it roared toward communities on the western side of Okanagan Lake, consuming homes in its wake.
Within a few hours of being detected at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, the fire had grown to measure 50 square kilometres before swiftly doubling in size again as it closed the 15-kilometre distance from its point of ignition to Summerland.
Here are some scenes from the area as residents fled their homes and emergency crews worked to close roads as the wildfire burned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2026.
Emergency crews talk to the driver of a car at a closed section of Highway 97 south of Peachland, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gary NylanderPeople with RVs who have been forced from their homes by wildfires line Beach Ave. in Peachland, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gary NylanderMatt Proulx sits with his dog, Baily, by his RV trailer, along Beach Ave. in Peachland, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. Matt, his wife and 18-year-old daughter, along with two other dogs, were evacuated from their home on Princeton Ave. the night before. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gary NylanderGoats belonging to Greg Krauter, who was forced to evacuate his Summerland property with seven of them in the middle of the night due to the Bald Range wildfire, stand in the back of his truck outside an evacuee centre, in Penticton, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckGreg Krauter, who was forced to evacuate his Summerland property with his seven goats in the middle of the night due to the Bald Range wildfire, walks with three of them outside an evacuee centre, in Penticton, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckThe Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burns in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckThe Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burns in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckThe Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burns in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckThe Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burns in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckThe Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burns in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckHot spots from the Bald Range wildfire, that has forced 20,000 people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, burn on the mountainside above houses, in Summerland, B.C., late Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Vanessa Terry is shown in this undated handout photo. Terry was found dead in her home on the Seabird Island First Nation reserve near Agassiz, B.C., on April 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Mia Roberts (Mandatory Credit)
