Canada has placed its military on standby as fast-moving wildfires in British Columbia killed one person and forced about 20,000 residents to evacuate.
British Columbia declared a state of emergency Saturday as several wildfires spread rapidly across the province amid extreme heat, dry conditions and drought.
The Bald Range wildfire posed the greatest threat around Summerland and nearby communities along Okanagan Lake. Officials warned residents that the situation remained dangerous.
Deadly fire races toward communities
An 80-year-old woman died while trying to escape the wildfire near Summerland, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation. Authorities said the blaze expanded rapidly and reached about 156 square kilometers.
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said residents should prepare for significant losses when they are eventually allowed to return.
The town, home to roughly 12,000 people, was evacuated Saturday night along with about 8,000 residents in and around nearby Peachland.
Holmes said the fire moved so quickly that residents had difficulty escaping through the highway north of Summerland.
Many people instead fled south as flames approached the community.
Kyla Gaudiuso, a resident of Faulder, said she believed her home had been destroyed after receiving a photograph showing flames engulfing the ridge where it stood.
She described the evacuation as chaotic and said she was staying with a friend in Penticton.
Military ready to provide support
Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty said the military remained in close contact with provincial and federal authorities.
He said the Canadian Armed Forces were prepared to respond if British Columbia formally requested military assistance.
The federal government has already approved provincial requests for shelter and accommodation support.
British Columbia officials said nearly half of the province’s wildfires remained out of control as hot and dry weather continued.
Around 99 wildland firefighters and 120 structure-protection personnel were fighting the Bald Range blaze.
Heavy equipment and helicopters were also being used. About 100 firefighters from Mexico were expected to join Canadian crews.
Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar said 19 helicopters had been assigned to the fire. However, the blaze remained too intense to stop.
Officials said smoke reduced visibility and limited the use of air tankers and water-scooping aircraft.
The wildfire also grew dramatically Friday, covering about 50 square kilometers within only three hours.
Meanwhile, wildfires continued to threaten communities across the western United States.
California ordered evacuations along parts of the Big Sur coast, while another fire near Reno forced about 5,500 people from their homes.
Oregon has also recorded its largest area burned by major wildfires, with more than 9,500 square kilometers affected this year.