Urgent evacuation order issued for fast

A new out-of-control wildfire has ignited near Summerland, forcing residents to evacuate with little notice.

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.

An evacuation order has been issued for areas west of Summerland, and parts of the community itself.

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

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.

Residents in the following area must evacuate to the north.

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:

· 5268 – 5323 Bradbury Street

· 4948 – 5079 Elliott Avenue

· 6503 – 6551 Ferguson Place

· 6311 – 6352 Forest Hill Drive

· 6213 – 6266 Lipsett Avenue

· 5135 – 5225 Maranatha Drive

· 5440 – 5463 McDougald Road

· 5115 – 5253 Pineridge Road

· 4809 – 5436 Princeton Avenue

· 4932 – 6293 Sanderson Avenue

· 6404 – 6485 Stuart Crescent

· 6195 – 6349 Thompson Drive

· 6203 – 6297 Whinton Crescent

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.

-with files from The Canadian Press