Canada Wildfires

People ride a ferris wheel as smoke from the Bald Range wildfire envelops Okanagan Lake, in Penticton, British Columbia, on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026.

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Canada puts the military on standby as British Columbia wildfires kill 1 and displace thousands

Canada puts the military on standby as British Columbia wildfires kill 1 and displace thousands

Canada has put its military on standby to help battle wildfires in British Columbia, where one person has died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes as fast-moving blazes wreak destruction. Defense Minister David McGuinty said Monday that military forces were ready to respond if British Columbia formally requested their help. The federal government has already approved provincial requests for help with shelter and accommodations. The Bald Range wildfire remained out of control after racing toward Summerland and other communities along Okanagan Lake over the weekend, forcing about 20,000 people to flee.