Wildfire Forces Evacuations in BC | Calgary News

A wildfire near Summerland, British Columbia, exploded into a crisis over the weekend, forcing thousands to flee as flames raced toward Okanagan Lake. The Bald Range blaze, which grew to 95 square kilometers in just 24 hours, prompted a provincial state of emergency. Calgary DJ Matt Strickland, vacationing nearby, described a terrifying scene: sudden wind shifts, ash falling from the sky, and visibility reduced to near zero. He and his friends scrambled to safety, ending up in a Walmart parking lot before heading east to Cranbrook as air quality deteriorated. Authorities are investigating a possible fatality amid hazardous conditions, while Alberta has deployed a major firefighting force to help. Eighteen aircraft battled the blaze, rescuing over 50 people Friday night — and the danger remains very real as crews race to contain the fire. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/869ee4f02c57ff72