B.C. wildfires: Thousands flee Summerland, RCMP confirms death of 80-year-old

The RCMP in British Columbia have confirmed one person has died while trying to flee from a massive and fast -moving wildfire in the province's Okanagan.RCMP say an 80 -year -old woman died while trying to leave her home on Friday.She was one of thousands told to evacuate after a fire burning northeast of Penticton exploded in size in just a matter of hours.The flames moved so quickly some residents had to be rescued by helicopter.Jessica Chung is about 30 minutes away from Summerland, B .C.

tonight, where the fire is being felt in other ways.

Jessica.Yeah, the smoke here is relentless.You can see it behind me.The mountains are covered in this thick haze.You can smell it.You can also feel it in the back of your throat and in your eyes.

And this smoke is the direct result of a fire that is wreaking havoc in Summerland tonight.This stunning video shows people fleeing in the dark of night from the glow of a raging wildfire in BC's Okanagan.The Baldrange fire has grown by 30 % since Saturday, reaching 136 square kilometres.That, after it nearly doubled in size overnight Friday, shortly after igniting.It prompted the whole community of Summerland to flee.12 ,000 people ordered to leave their homes, plus thousands more from the surrounding area, including Peachland, most of which headed south.

The entire population of Summerland is here.It's kind of strange seeing your entire community transplanted into another community.

And the mayor says the num from evacuees is when the soon to say, we have to m safe.

We know power lines water is contaminated.So at, sorted out what he d

know is that homes and structures have been lost in the flames, but it's not clear yet how many.The RCMP says an 80 -year -old woman died while trying to flee her home.Police believe her death was a result of the wildfire.Heavy smoke is helping keep temperatures down but also comes with a trade -off.

The smoke is without a doubt causing some very big challenges for us with our ability to be able to fully utilize our aerial fleets and resources.

Across the province, about 100 wildfires are active and nearly 22 ,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.BC's premier has declared a province -wide state of emergency.Ottawa has since approved funding to help provide shelter for evacuees.BC wildfire crew says this is some of the most challenging conditions that they have ever seen and it may not let up anytime soon.

We'll be looking at winds out of the west that are a little bit stronger than what we've been seeing in the last little while.It really just depends at this point where that wind shows up and how it interacts with the fire.

Now, the winds are causing the wildfire smoke to spread to places like Kelowna, and that's disrupted some air travels.So more than a dozen flights were canceled.Some were delayed due to the heavy smoke.

And Jessica, I take it we're getting a sense now of what the weather will be like in the coming days.

Yeah.So this prolonged air quality, along with the heat, the severe drought conditions and the possibility of dry lightning really has crews preparing for some difficult days ahead.Paul.

OK, thank you, Jessica.That's great.Jessica Chung near Summerland BC tonight now as we mentioned about 12 ,000 people were ordered to leave Summerland as the Bald Range wildfire rapidly closed in on their community Evacuees were instructed to head to emergency reception centers most went south to Penticton others headed north to West KelownaThat journey, for many, further complicated by a closure on Highway 97, a key route in the region.John Hernandez is in Penticton tonight.He's been speaking with evacuees all day about their frantic rush to safety and fears they may have nothing to return to.

There goes the middle.Filming from his roof in Summerland, John Kingston watched as the Bald Range fire exploded in size while heading straight for him.

There was explosions left, right and center and the noise from that fire, it's just louder than hell.

He tried to hose down the houses in his neighborhood, but the smoke and heat became too much to bear.

I don't know if what's going to be there when we get back.You know, you've heard good things, you hear bad things, but it's all hearsay.

Thousands of Summerland residents evacuated to Penticton.Now they're staying wherever they can as they wait for official word on their homes.

This is where they told me to go to when I got evacuated.This was the address they gave me.So I don't know if they knew that I was going to show up with seven cars.Mechanic Gary Nielsen brought his cherished possessions to this parking lot.I'm building this one right behind us for my dad.So this is a super important vehicle to me, right?

This is supposed to be what we are building memories in.

Many others resting at this evacuation center as they navigate loss and hardship.

I just saw a lady in there that lost everything and a volunteer is helping her.She found her husband and herself in the car just sitting there and they didn't know what to do and it's just overwhelming the amount of support.

Neighbors also helping where they can.Some heading into the fire zone to save animals.These two horses were rescued from a stable of seven as the fires raged on Saturday.The volunteers are waiting on emergency permits so they can get the rest.

You look into some of these horses eyes and you see what they've gone through and it hits you deep down into your soul.You feel it.

A lot of people are eager to get back into Summerland and see what's left.Search for missing pets and farm animals.But the province is advising everyone to respect roadblocks and stay away.

And John, this situation is made more difficult, I guess, because not everyone has a place to stay.

Yeah, there are only so many hotel rooms here in Penticton.A lot of people have taken to staying in the parking lot outside the evacuation centre here, whether it's in their vehicles, in campers, or even tents.Also, a lot of people have taken to parking lots outside of stores like Walmart and Canadian Tire.These evacuees certainly eager to get back home.Paul.