British Columbia Wildfire Doubles to 95 Square Kilometres, Thousands Evacuated
A rapidly expanding wildfire in British Columbia has compelled thousands of residents to evacuate, as the Bald Range blaze more than doubled in size over a short period. The fire, which remains classified as "out of control", now spans in excess of 95 square kilometres.
Authorities issued an evacuation order for approximately 1,200 properties on Monday night. This directive superseded previous evacuation alerts, instructing residents within specified areas of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to leave immediately. The district subsequently declared a local state of emergency due to the escalating threat posed by the wildfire.
The affected region includes communities around Westwold, Monte Lake, and Pritchard. These areas are situated roughly equidistant between the cities of Kamloops and Vernon in the province's interior. Evacuees have been advised to register at reception centres established in Vernon or Kamloops, underscoring the significant displacement caused by the blaze.
The current wildfire season in British Columbia follows last year's record-breaking events, which saw over 2.8 million hectares burnt across Canada. The prevailing conditions, characterised by dry weather and strong winds, have contributed to the rapid propagation of the Bald Range fire, intensifying the challenge for emergency services.
