Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson said the community was almost unrecognisable from the air, with homes and surrounding forests reduced to ashes after the Bradley Creek wildfire.

The Bradley Creek wildfire ranks among Canada's most devastating recent fires, following the 2024 Jasper wildfire that destroyed around 350 homes and the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire that claimed about 200 homes.

The wildfire erupted late Friday and was intensified by wind gusts reaching up to 115 kmph, allowing flames to spread rapidly through the community.

Chief Dan Wilson said some residents had as little as five minutes to evacuate as the fast-moving fire swept through the reserve.

Aerial firefighting crews repeatedly dropped water to protect key facilities, successfully saving a daycare centre and a newly built school from the advancing flames.

Residents Louis and Shorty Fred fled their home with flames close behind. Louis Fred said he had never witnessed such an intense wildfire despite living in the community his entire life.

Emergency officials said around 8,000 people have been evacuated across British Columbia, with dozens of evacuation orders remaining in effect as wildfire conditions continue to change.

The BC Wildfire Service reported about 120 active wildfires across British Columbia, nearly 50 of them out of control, including major fires near Boston Bar, Clinton and Kimberley.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said his thoughts were with those impacted by the wildfires, noting that the Bradley Creek wildfire alone had forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.