A motorhome accident in British Columbia’s Okanagan region sparked a wildfire, leading to the evacuation of nearly 60 homes in Peachland. The incident occurred when the vehicle collided with a tree, causing it to burst into flames along Highway 97 on Tuesday night. Quick response from firefighters and the BC Wildfire Service contained the fire, preventing a larger disaster.
Residents were temporarily evacuated but were allowed to return home within a few hours. The emergency response team issued evacuation alerts for the properties, keeping residents on standby. Power outages affecting around 680 customers were reported due to the wildfire affecting power lines in the area.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the motorhome accident. Despite a dry spell and heatwave in the region, the number of wildfires in B.C. has remained stable, with heat warnings in effect for various areas. However, a cooling trend is forecasted towards the end of the week.
Temperature records have been broken across the province, with Lytton reaching the hottest temperature in Canada for the year. Other communities also experienced record-breaking highs, contributing to smog and air-quality warnings in some regions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing wildfire risks in the region and the importance of prompt emergency response.