The town of Peachland in British Columbia, Canada, has been ravaged by the Bald Range wildfire, leaving thousands of residents to wonder if they still have homes to return to.
The fire, which broke out on Friday, has grown to 53 sq miles in size, with officials still trying to determine the extent of the damage. Earl Kurz, a 30-year resident of Peachland, described the aftermath as 'total incinerated destruction', with 'barren areas of nothing except 12 inches of ash'.
More than 12,000 residents in the area are still under an evacuation order, with one woman, aged 80, tragically losing her life while attempting to flee. The Okanagan area, known for its picturesque scenery and world-renowned vineyards, has been grappling with extreme drought in recent years, making it a tinderbox for wildfires.
'We've had a lot of close calls before, but it's never been like this', said Keegan Radomski, an 18-year-old who barely escaped with her mother's ashes before seeing the fire breach her property. 'You always think it's not going to be you, and then it's you.'
The speed and intensity of the fire have caught many residents off guard, with some forced to leave their livestock behind in the quick evacuation. Volunteer groups have been working to rescue stranded animals, with dozens of horses and other animals already saved.
The Bald Range wildfire is one of over 100 burning in British Columbia, with the province's premier, David Eby, declaring a state of emergency over the weekend. As the fires continue to rage on, residents are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what the future holds for their communities.