Over 12,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in the picturesque Okanagan region of British Columbia due to a rapidly spreading wildfire named Bald Range. The blaze started on Friday and quickly grew to cover an area of 136 sq km by Monday, causing widespread destruction with many homes feared lost. The elderly woman who perished while attempting to flee the fire has been identified. With forecasts predicting dry lightning, high temperatures, and strong winds, authorities have warned that the fire continues to pose a significant threat and new ignitions are possible. The Okanagan area, known for its renowned vineyards and scenic beauty, has been struggling with extreme drought in recent years. As of July, the level of Okanagan Lake reached its lowest since 1992, according to the Okanagan Basin Water Board. This wildfire is one of over 100 currently burning in British Columbia, with 70 of them having started within the past week. The province's premier, David Eby, declared a state of emergency over the weekend, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and warning that the fires continue to move "incredibly quickly". One of thousands displaced is Keegan Radomski, an 18-year-old who had to flee her home in Summerland, a town south of Peachland. She barely managed to save her mother's ashes before seeing the fire engulf her property. The home she fled was built by her grandmother three decades ago. The family was familiar with wildfires and evacuation notices but were still caught off guard by the speed of this fire. Officials are still uncertain about the number of homes lost, and many residents have been left wondering if they will return to find their properties standing or reduced to ash. Some livestock has been abandoned during the hasty evacuations, leading to rescue efforts by volunteers like Kaz Nowlin. The Bald Range wildfire follows another destructive fire in the Okanagan called Bradley Creek, which is believed to have destroyed over 200 homes. The Bradley Creek fire is now being contained following "tireless work" by wildfire crews. Drought conditions have also contributed to fires in the US state of Washington and devastating blazes in Spain and France this summer as Europe grapples with drought and record-breaking temperatures. Experts attribute the increased intensity and frequency of Canadian wildfires to climate change, particularly hotter and drier weather. In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in terms of total area burned.