Wildfires in the western Canadian province of British Columbia have intensified significantly, leading to a state of emergency declared on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, by British Columbia Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene.

By Sunday morning, August 9th, the BC Wildfire Service reported 102 active fires across the province, up from 70 the previous day, with nearly half of these fires out of control. The service noted that response efforts are being hampered by "elevated fire behavior coupled with severely poor visibility," attributing the extreme fire activity to continuous hot and dry conditions.

One of the most severe fires, the Bald Range fire, which erupted on Saturday, has engulfed the Summerland area, home to approximately 12,000 residents, consuming nearly 10,341 hectares (25,552 acres) by early Sunday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced on Sunday that they are "investigating to confirm" a possible fatality related to the wildfires. Officials have not yet released casualty or damage figures or published a list of missing persons.

British Columbia Premier David Eby warned of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the fires and confirmed that "air evacuations are underway for people who remain isolated behind the fire perimeter." Canadian media reported that more than 50 people were airlifted from the community of Faulder.

In total, more than 20,000 residents have been forced to evacuate the affected areas. Premier Eby offered reassurance, stating, "To everyone affected, you are not facing this alone, the entire province is with you."

Sources