A new out-of-control wildfire has ignited near Summerland, forcing residents to evacuate with little notice
<img src="https://todaytrendnews7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/70c8fc80-117.png” alt=””>
The Bald Range wildfire was first reported on Friday afternoon, about 15 kilometres west of the community
In just the span of a few hours, the blaze grew in size to more than 5,000 hectares
The BC Wildfire Service says it’s displaying aggressive rank 5 behaviour, with an organized flame front with a fast rate of spread and moderate to long-range spotting
It also says gusty winds fuelled the quick growth and complicated the firefight for aircraft
The organization said that the fire is spotting close to a kilometre ahead of the main wildfire zone
An evacuation order has been issued for areas west of Summerland, and parts of the community itself
Residents have told Global News that some homes have been lost to the fire
Taylor Colman with the BC Wildfire Service said the extreme fire behaviour and rapid fire spread is expected to continue overnight and into Saturday
Heroic efforts happening tonight near Summerland
For those in the area, please keep following updates. If asked to evacuate, go immediately. The conditions are changing extremely quickly. https://t.co/zG5anhSoIC
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) August 8, 2026
View image in full screen
Central Okanagan Emergency Management
Erick Thompson with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s emergency operations centre says the fire was first detected at 5:30 p.m
He says the fast-moving fire poses an immediate threat and those in the evacuation zone from Summerland north to Peachland need to get out in the face of one of the “quickest-moving, fastest-growing” fires the area has ever seen
Get daily National news
Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News’ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Residents in the following area must evacuate to the north
- 7210 Brent Road to 7100 Brent Road
- 7280 HWY 97S to 6801 HWY 97S
- 307 Log Chute Road to 303 Log Chute Road
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes told Global News that residents in Meadow Valley, most of whom are farm owners, could not leave because the fire blocked the road, so they had to be helicoptered to safety
He said people in Summerland are also taking in people who have had to evacuate and don’t have anywhere to go
An evacuation alert has also been ordered due to this wildfire
It is in place for Brenda Mines Rd, Upper Princeton and Renfrew neighbourhoods
The following addresses are covered in this alert:
· 6205 – 6230 Bonnie Lane
· 5268 – 5323 Bradbury Street
· 4905 – 4996 Bradley Drive
· 6140 – 6220 Brigade Court
· 6272 – 6590 Bulyea Avenue
· 4948 – 5079 Elliott Avenue
· 6503 – 6551 Ferguson Place
· 6311 – 6352 Forest Hill Drive
· 6212 Gummow Road
· 6204 – 6212 Haker Place
· 6649 Hardy Street
· 6209 – 6265 Heighway Lane
· 6444 – 6711 Highway 97
· 5247 Inga Street
· 6400 – 6493 Keyes Avenue
· 5002 – 5414 Law Street
· 6213 – 6266 Lipsett Avenue
· 6421 – 6465 Mack Road
· 5135 – 5225 Maranatha Drive
· 5440 – 5463 McDougald Road
· 6229 – 6261 Miller Road
· 4976 – 4984 Nash Street
· 5357 – 5495 Pierce Street
· 5115 – 5253 Pineridge Road
· 6349 – 6359 Powell Road
· 4809 – 5436 Princeton Avenue
· 6226 – 6650 Renfrew Road
· 4932 – 6293 Sanderson Avenue
· 6482 – 6568 Sherburn Road
· 5203 – 5220 Silver Court
· 6404 – 6485 Stuart Crescent
· 6267 Sundstrom Court
· 5003 Thompson Drive
· 6195 – 6349 Thompson Drive
· 6691 – 6789 Thorne Road
· 6306 – 6376 Topham Place
· 6363 – 6575 Vernon Avenue
· 6203 – 6297 Whinton Crescent
· 6325 – 6391 York Lane
Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from home for an extended period, make arrangements for their pets, and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents
This is a developing story…
-with files from The Canadian Press
