An 80-year-old woman has died in a fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia's wine country, Canadian police said. The fire, known as the Bald Range wildfire, nearly doubled in size over the weekend and forced residents to evacuate the area.
The woman was the first person killed in the blaze, according to police. Officials said they are still trying to determine how many homes were lost to the fire, which remained out of control as of Monday.
The wildfire is burning in the Okanagan region, a major wine-producing area in British Columbia. Strong winds and dry conditions contributed to the fire's rapid spread, prompting evacuation orders for nearby communities.
Emergency crews continue to battle the flames, but authorities say the fire poses an ongoing threat. The exact cause of the fire has not been released, and investigations are underway.
Police have not released the name of the victim, and further details about the circumstances of her death were not immediately available.
The Bald Range fire is one of several wildfires currently burning in the province, which has experienced unusually hot and dry weather this summer. Officials are urging residents to follow evacuation orders and stay alert as conditions can change quickly.