Bradley Creek wildfire doubles in size as thousands evacuate in the Okanagan
The Bradley Creek wildfire in British Columbia has more than doubled in size, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Extreme weather conditions, including high winds and lightning, have fueled rapid fire growth across the region.
Why it matters
The rapid escalation of wildfires highlights the increasing threat of climate-driven environmental disasters to public safety and infrastructure.
The Bradley Creek wildfire more than doubled in size over the weekend, prompting a series of new evacuation orders and forcing thousands of people from their homes.
The affected communities are located at the northern end of Okanagan Lake. On Saturday afternoon, evacuation orders were issued for areas within the Okanagan Indian Band, Splatsin First Nation and the township of Spallumcheen.
During a Sunday news conference, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) Director of Wildfire Operations Cliff Chapman said more than 5,000 people across British Columbia had been evacuated in the previous 24 hours as wildfire activity intensified.
“We are seeing fuel conditions that we have never seen before. We are seeing fire behaviour and fire growth that we have never experienced in B.C. up until this point,” Chapman said.
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