Over 20,000 evacuated as Canada wildfire destroys homes

Emergency officials in British Columbia ordered more than 20,000 residents to evacuate communities near Okanagan Lake overnight as the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire destroyed homes and surged toward Summerland and Peachland, according to local CTV News on Saturday.

Fire overwhelms communities

The blaze was first reported Friday evening and grew to 50 square kilometers within hours, overwhelming the smaller community of Faulder before threatening Summerland, home to about 12,000 people, and Peachland, where another 8,000 residents were told to leave. Videos circulating on social media showed homes burning as residents fled, while roads south toward Penticton became heavily congested with evacuees.

Emergency official flees operations center

Emergency information officer Erick Thompson described the blaze as one of the "quickest-moving, fastest-growing" wildfires the region had seen. He was eventually forced to leave the emergency operations center to evacuate his own family. "I had to leave the EOC to come and get my family to leave this area. We're heading South," Thompson said.

Residents urged to support neighbors

Thompson called for collective strength amid the chaos. "I don't need to tell anybody that it's troubling for everyone that this is happening to our community, but we have to be strong, (for) our loved ones, and especially for everyone who needs the help, needs the support. So, look in on your neighbors," he said, as traffic remained at a standstill on routes south toward Penticton.