Lena Peters, 80, killed in Bald Range wildfire

An 80-year-old woman died in the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia’s wine country, Canadian police said on Sunday, after the blaze nearly doubled in size over the weekend and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents.

The victim, identified as Lena Peters of Summerland, was found outside her home as flames overwhelmed the area, according to the RCMP. The fire has grown to over 1,200 hectares since Friday, driven by strong winds and dry conditions that have gripped the region for weeks. More than 300 people have been evacuated from homes and farms in the Okanagan Valley, a region known for orchards and vineyards.

Firefighters from across the province are battling the blaze with air support, but the rugged terrain and shifting winds are making containment difficult. This is the first death linked to a wildfire in British Columbia this year, and it comes as the province faces one of its earliest and most intense fire seasons in decades. Hot, windy weather has dried out forests and grasslands weeks ahead of schedule, raising concerns about a long and dangerous summer.

Officials warn that the Bald Range fire could spread further into populated areas unless cooler weather arrives by midweek. Evacuation alerts remain in place for several communities, and residents are being told to prepare for possible power outages and road closures. The death of Lena Peters underscores the growing human cost of climate-driven wildfires, which are becoming larger, faster, and deadlier across western North America.