Wildfire Forces Evacuations Across Top Canadian Wine Region

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomePMN BusinessWildfire Forces Evacuations Across Top Canadian Wine RegionMore than 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate one of Canada’s top wine-producing regions as an uncontrolled wildfire spread rapidly, forcing local authorities to declare a province-wide state of emergency.Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — More than 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate one of Canada’s top wine-producing regions as an uncontrolled wildfire spread rapidly, forcing local authorities to declare a province-wide state of emergency.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountAuthorities ordered the town of Summerland and nearby communities in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley to be evacuated on Saturday as the Bald Range wildfire advanced. The fire, first reported Friday afternoon, doubled over the course of Saturday to 9,500 hectares (23,475 acres), with some residents trapped behind the fast-moving fire front, according to the latest estimates.“The fires are moving incredibly quickly,” British Columbia Premier David Eby said in a press conference. “What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours is a step change, a significant departure in fire behavior in the province.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againEby declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon to give authorities more tools to respond to the worsening fires, including the ability to commandeer accommodation for evacuees and impose future travel restrictions on affected areas. Eby said no travel restrictions are currently in place.Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media Saturday that the federal government “stands ready to help and support the government of British Columbia in these efforts.” Last month, a blaze in the eastern Canadian province of Ontario produced smoke that darkened skies and worsened air quality as far south as Washington, DC. The Bald Range fire in British Columbia is similarly the product of hot and dry summer weather, while strong winds have contributed to its fast rate of growth.The evacuations in and around Summerland amount to one of the biggest in British Columbia’s history, authorities said, while warning the danger of more fires in other parts of the province is high.Firefighters were seeing “conditions we have never seen before” on the ground, Cliff Chapman of the BC Wildlife Service said in the press conference, calling the situation “explosive.”“The potential of having another fire like this in BC is very real,” while more evacuations are expected, Chapman said.Located about 400 kilometers (248.55 miles) inland from Vancouver and almost 500 kilometers northeast of Seattle, the Okanagan Valley produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its warm and sunny climate. Dotted with lakes and surrounded by mountain ranges, the area is a popular summer tourist destination for visitors from around Canada and the world. Firefighters, helicopters and air tankers have been dispatched to battle the blaze, with multiple aircraft repurposed overnight to rescue individuals trapped behind the fast moving fire front, authorities said.(Updates with new evacuation numbers, other details from first paragraph.)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.