Over 12,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to a wildfire in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. The Bald Range wildfire, which erupted on Friday and has since grown to cover an area of 136 square kilometers, has resulted in some property losses, with officials still assessing the extent of damage. The elderly woman's death during evacuation was reported over the weekend. The fire continues to be uncontrolled as of Monday, with dry lightning, high temperatures, and winds expected to exacerbate its spread. The Okanagan area, renowned for its vineyards and scenic beauty, has been grappling with extreme drought in recent years, contributing to the current crisis. The Bald Range wildfire is one of over 100 currently burning in British Columbia, with 70 starting within the past week. Premier David Eby declared a state of emergency over the weekend due to the fires' rapid advancement. Residents like Keegan Radomski, who fled her home in Summerland, are hoping for the best but bracing themselves for potential losses. The family was caught off guard by the fire's speed, having seen wildfire smoke from a distance while eating dinner on Friday evening. The mayor of Summerland confirmed that some homes have been lost, and many residents left their livestock behind during the hasty evacuation. Animal rescue efforts are underway to save stranded animals, with over 57 horses already rescued. The Bradley Creek fire, which is believed to have destroyed more than 200 homes, is now being contained after tireless work by wildfire crews. Drought conditions have also fueled fires in the US state of Washington and caused devastating blazes in Spain and France this summer. Climate change, particularly hotter and drier weather, has been blamed for making wildfires more intense and frequent in Canada over the past decade. In 2023, the country experienced its worst wildfire season on record in terms of total area burned.