IN PHOTOS | Wildfire triggers largest evacuation in B.C.

IN PHOTOS | Wildfire triggers largest evacuation in B.C.

Over 20,000 people in Summerland, Peachland forced to flee on the weekend

There are 105 wildfires burning in British Columbia. The Bald Range wildfire, discovered Friday, quickly grew in size overnight forcing more than 20,000 people to flee from Summerland and Peachland in the Okanagan, the province's wine country. It has now spread to cover more than 13,600 hectares, and the B.C. Wildfire Service expects lightning to start ​new fires in the ⁠region, which faces high temperatures, wind gusts and limited rain.

CBC photographer Ben Nelms was in the area this weekend, documenting first responder efforts, the evacuees and daily life amid the heavy smoke.

Provincewide state of emergency

The B.C. government has declared a provincial state of emergency and says property losses are significant, though details are scant. Here, a firefighting helicopter is pictured near the Bald Range fire on Saturday in Summerland, a district municipality with a population of about 12,000.

Emergency vehicles and first responders fight fires during an evacuation order in Summerland. More than 8,000 residents around Peachland, about 20 kilometres to the north, were also ordered to leave.

Another part of Summerland is pictured during the evacuation order.

Trees burn near homes in Summerland.

A vehicle drives through heavy smoke on Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland. Highway 97 remains closed from Peachland in the north to Penticton in the south.

Evacuees are pictured outside the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, one of the main evacuation centres.

Greg Krauter, who was forced to flee his Summerland property with his goats, is pictured outside the centre.

An evacuee sits next to some of Krauter's goats.

A girl wearing a mask rides a scooter near Tickleyberry's Peach ice cream stand as smoke fills the sky in Penticton.

Amusement rides are pictured as smoke from the wildfire envelops Okanagan Lake in Penticton.