Wildfires burning across the western United States and Canada have forced thousands to evacuate their homes and left others on edge, awaiting possible orders to flee. In western Canada, over 20,000 people were compelled to leave communities along Okanagan Lake in British Columbia over the weekend as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and prompted rescues by aircraft. An 80-year-old woman died while attempting to escape the wildfire in the Okanagan Lake region, authorities reported Sunday.
British Columbia declared a state of emergency Saturday due to the fires, which led to the evacuation of about 8,000 people in and around Peachland, in addition to those who fled Summerland, a community of approximately 12,000 people. The minister of emergency management and community resilience announced Sunday that federal assistance had been approved to provide shelter and accommodations for those displaced.
In the U.S., crews in Washington have been battling three wildfires that began burning in the Spokane area more than a week ago. Cleanup operations were underway near containment lines, with none of the fires actively growing, according to a news release from the managing team. These fires have damaged or destroyed approximately 920 structures. Earlier in the week, a man was arrested and charged with intentionally starting the largest of the Spokane-area blazes.
Residents in the rural town of Malden, located about 35 miles south of Spokane, were advised to evacuate Saturday, but by Sunday, their evacuation level was downgraded to ready-to-leave status. Officials noted that winds were calm and the fire was not progressing. Water conservation was requested for Malden residents to ensure supply for fire trucks if needed, and the town's fire department was trucking water from the nearby community of Rosalia.
This is not the first time Malden has faced severe wildfires; in 2020, the town was largely destroyed, losing its fire station, post office, city hall, and library.
Meanwhile, in Utah, two helicopter pilots died when their aircraft crashed Friday morning while fighting a wildfire in the Fishlake National Forest. Crews were able to reach the crash site Saturday to confirm the deaths, with officials stating that fire activity and the steep, rough terrain had prevented immediate access. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the helicopter crash. Officials noted seeing two distinct smoke plumes upon reaching the site, one from the crash and another from an active fire.