An 80-year-old woman has died while attempting to flee a rapidly spreading wildfire in British Columbia that has forced more than 20,000 people from their homes and prompted officials to declare a state of emergency.
The Summerland, or Bald Range, wildfire broke out Friday near Okanagan Lake and expanded rapidly over the weekend. By late Sunday, the blaze had burned more than 13,600 hectares, or approximately 33,600 acres, and remained classified as out of control, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed the death of an 80-year-old Meadow Valley resident in connection with the wildfire.
Police said the woman was attempting to leave her home with a family member because of the advancing fire when she died suddenly. No other fatalities related to the wildfire were known as of Sunday night.
British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed condolences following confirmation of the death, saying he was deeply saddened by the news.
The rapidly changing wildfire conditions have also required significant rescue efforts. On Saturday, emergency crews reportedly airlifted approximately 50 people to safety as the Summerland fire triggered overnight evacuations.
Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked firefighters and other emergency personnel responding to the crisis and said Ottawa was prepared to assist the British Columbia government.
Carney said first responders were working tirelessly to protect residents and added that his thoughts were with those forced to evacuate their homes.
The Summerland fire is one of more than 100 active wildfires reported across British Columbia as of late Sunday.
The BC Wildfire Service has warned that conditions could lead to additional wildfire starts, particularly across the central Interior and Okanagan regions. Forecasters are concerned about dry lightning in areas receiving little precipitation, increasing the risk of new fires.
Researchers have also pointed to the role of climate change in worsening Canada’s wildfire conditions. The World Weather Attribution group previously concluded that human-caused climate change had doubled the likelihood of the extreme fire conditions associated with Canada’s wildfire season.
With the Summerland wildfire still considered out of control, firefighting and emergency operations remain underway as authorities monitor conditions across the affected region.
