3 weeks ago
Octogenarian is first killed in British Columbia Bald Range wildfire
A very big fire called the Bald Range wildfire is burning in British Columbia, Canada.
A very sad thing happened: an 80-year-old woman died while she was leaving her home with a family member because of the fire.
The police believe the fire caused her death, and they are investigating.
She is the first person reported to have died from this fire.
The fire has grown very quickly and now covers more than 13,600 hectares, which is bigger than many cities.
Because the fire is dangerous, more than 20,000 people in the province have had to leave their homes.
Many older people live in the nearby town of Summerland, and they were helped to safety.
Canada has had a very hot summer, which makes fires start and spread more easily.
Fire experts say lightning might start even more fires in the area soon.
Big fires are also happening in the United States, not far from the city of Spokane.
An 80-year-old woman died while evacuating from the Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia - the first reported death from the blaze.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) believe her sudden death resulted from the wildfire and are investigating.
The fire nearly doubled in size over the weekend and has spread over 13,600 hectares (33,606 acres) since it was discovered on Friday.
The wildfire triggered the largest evacuation in British Columbia so far this summer, with more than 20,000 people forced to leave their homes.
The BC Wildfire Service expects lightning to start new fires in the Okanagan region, while the United States also faced wildfires near Spokane, Washington.
- Who
- An 80-year-old woman from Meadow Valley, who died while evacuating with a family member; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating.
- What
- The first reported death from the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire, which nearly doubled in size and forced the largest evacuation in British Columbia so far this summer.
- Where
- The Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia's wine country (Okanagan region), near the municipality of Summerland, Canada.
- When
- The death was announced late Sunday (August 9); the fire was discovered on Friday and the report is dated August 10.
- Why
- Hot and dry conditions intensified the blaze; police believe the woman's sudden death resulted from the wildfire as she evacuated her home.
Key facts
- Victim
- 80-year-old Meadow Valley resident
- Wildfire
- Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia
- Fire size
- 13,600 hectares (33,606 acres) since discovery on Friday
- Evacuations
- More than 20,000 people forced from their homes - the largest evacuation in British Columbia this summer
- Canada wildfires
- More than 4,600 fires burning 4 million hectares this year
- Nearby town
- Summerland (population about 12,000) with a significant senior population
- U.S. wildfires
- Up to 64,000 residents were under evacuation orders near Spokane, Washington
- Weather outlook
- Lightning expected to start new fires in Okanagan; high temperatures and wind gusts continue
Sources
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