Canada’s federal government said Sunday it would provide urgent assistance to British Columbia as fast-moving wildfires forced thousands of residents from their homes, with the province battling 102 active fires.
Nearly half were classified as out of control, while 78 had ignited during the previous week.
About 22,000 people were reported evacuated across affected areas, with thousands more told to prepare to leave at short notice.
Emergency Management and Community Resilience Minister Eleanor Olszewski said she approved British Columbia’s request for federal assistance to provide shelter and accommodation for displaced residents.
Federal officials led by the Government Operations Centre at Public Safety Canada were tasked with coordinating support with provincial authorities.
Summerland, a community of about 12,000 southwest of Kelowna, was evacuated overnight Saturday, alongside thousands of people around nearby Peachland.
British Columbia Premier David Eby declared a provincial state of emergency late Saturday as the Bald Range wildfire expanded rapidly.
The fire, first detected late Friday, had grown to more than 10,300 hectares by Saturday night after racing toward Okanagan Lake.
Hot and dry conditions continued to drive fires across southern British Columbia, while thick smoke, turbulence and poor visibility complicated aerial and ground operations.
Ten standard helicopters and one night-vision helicopter were involved in the response.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police was also investigating a possible fatality near Summerland.
British Columbia’s firefighting effort included 34 personnel from Australia, five from New Zealand and 214 from Mexico, with additional international resources expected in the coming days.
Cliff Chapman, the BC Wildfire Service’s director of provincial operations, said prolonged hot and dry weather had produced unusually explosive fire conditions.
Forecast thunderstorms could bring lightning and further worsen the situation.
Wildland fire professor Mike Flannigan said the speed and intensity of the fires were making traditional assumptions about nighttime slowdowns and safe distances less reliable.
He warned that dry conditions could allow the regional fire season to extend into autumn.