Bald Range Fire Grows to 24,820 Hectares Amid Erratic Winds, Still Out of Control

BC Wildfire Service's August 22 update put the Bald Range fire west of Summerland at 24,820 hectares — up from roughly 22,000 hectares a week earlier — after 49 straight days without rain in the area. Eight evacuation orders and 13 evacuation alerts remain in place, with 32 properties still under order even as many Summerland and Peachland residents have returned home. The incident management team of 382 personnel, 15 helicopters and 77 pieces of heavy equipment maintained 24-hour operations ahead of a forecast Saturday thunderstorm with gusts to 70 km/h, prioritizing structure protection and Highway 97.