British Columbia declares emergency as wildfire forces 20,000 evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire forced more than 20,000 people to leave their homes in British Columbia, Canada, on August 8 and 9, 2026. The Bald Range fire grew from less than one square kilometre to over 50 square kilometres in a very short time. Officials called the fire's speed unprecedented. An evacuation order came at 12:30 in the morning, so many residents had little time to escape. Some neighbourhoods were cut off before people could leave by road. Aircraft rescued more than 50 people who were trapped. Police are investigating one possible death connected to the fire. Homes and properties have been destroyed. The provincial government declared a state of emergency. At the time, over 100 wildfires were burning across British Columbia.