Massive Wildfire Forces 20,000 People From Their Homes in British Columbia

On August 8, 2026, British Columbia declared a state of emergency — a formal move that frees up extra government resources. The Bald Range wildfire had burned an area roughly the size of 19,000 football fields with no control. Overnight, the entire town of Summerland, about 12,000 people, plus 8,000 more near Peachland, had to flee. Over 20,000 lost their homes temporarily. This came after another fire, Bradley Creek, believed to have destroyed more than 200 houses.