Mounties said an 80-year-old woman has died as a result of the Bald Range fire in Summerland, B.C. According to Penticton RCMP, she was attempting to evacuate with a family member from her home in the Meadow Valley area when she died suddenly. Another evacuee attempting to flee from the rapidly growing fire saw the woman and reported her death just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, police said. “Officers are working closely and providing full supports to the impacted family, who are asking for privacy at this time,” Supt. Beth McAndie said, in a statement. Mounties believe the woman’s death to be a result of the wildfire, but the B.C. Coroners’ Service is investigating further. No other wildfire-related deaths have been reported to police, Mounties added. The fire was discovered at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday—quickly exploding in size, making a direct run towards Okanagan Lake, and burning through areas like Faulder and Meadow Valley in the process. More than 20,000 people in and around Summerland have been forced from their homes due to the Bald Range fire.
