Canada sends federal aid as British Columbia wildfires force 22,000 to evacuate

Canada’s federal government approved emergency assistance for British Columbia on Sunday, August 9, 2026, as fast-moving wildfires forced about 22,000 people to evacuate and placed thousands more on alert.

British Columbia was battling 102 wildfires, with nearly half classified as out of control by the provincial wildfire service. Seventy-eight of the fires had started during the preceding week. The community of Summerland, with about 12,000 residents, was evacuated overnight, along with roughly 8,000 people near Peachland. Another 10,000 people were told to be ready to leave.

Provincial Premier David Eby declared a state of emergency on Saturday. Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said Ottawa would help provide shelter and accommodation and had directed the Government Operations Centre at Public Safety Canada to coordinate support with the province.

The Bald Range fire, detected late Friday, expanded within hours to more than 100 square kilometres and advanced toward Okanagan Lake. Aircraft operations were complicated by smoke, turbulence and the intensity of the fires. Authorities were also investigating a possible death near Summerland.

Officials warned that continued hot, dry weather and forecast thunderstorms could worsen conditions. The immediate priorities remained evacuation, shelter and efforts to protect communities while crews worked under unusually severe fire behaviour.