Two killed as US Army Apache helicopter crashes near Fort Hood base in Texas

British Columbia declared a state of emergency on Saturday as a fast-moving wildfire nearly doubled in size overnight, forcing thousands of residents in the western Canadian province to evacuate their homes. The Bald Range wildfire, which expanded to approximately 9,500 hectares (23,500 acres), prompted evacuation orders in Summerland, Peachland and other communities west of Okanagan Lake. These areas, located in British Columbia’s southern interior, are home to most of the province’s vineyards and constitute Canada’s second-largest wine-producing region. Over 20,000 people across the province were ordered to leave their homes, marking the largest evacuation event of the summer so far. Summerland alone has a population of about 12,000, while Peachland is home to roughly 6,500 residents, according to the 2021 census. The state of emergency grants the provincial government immediate access to special powers, such as imposing travel restrictions, preventing price gouging on essential goods and coordinating emergency response and rescue operations. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the situation at a news conference, citing a fire official’s description of the blaze as “like a bomb going off.” He recounted how flames reached heights of up to 200 feet and created its own weather system, generating lightning that fueled the fire further. Eby noted that homes and properties were lost, some residents were trapped and required rescue due to rapidly changing conditions. Many residents fled overnight, traveling either south toward Penticton or north to Kelowna, though several highways were subsequently closed. Firefighters from multiple countries, including Mexico, Australia, France and New Zealand, joined Canadian crews in efforts to contain the blazes. As of Saturday, about 1,500 firefighters were engaged in battling over 100 active wildfires in the province. Hot and dry conditions continue to heighten the risk of new outbreaks and accelerate the spread of existing fires. British Columbia has issued 40 evacuation orders and 49 evacuation alerts. Wildfires have already consumed about 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) across Canada this year, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Other provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, have also faced similar challenges, with hot and dry weather contributing to widespread blazes in densely forested regions. Meanwhile, in central Texas, an Apache helicopter of the US Army crashed on Wednesday, killing both individuals onboard and igniting a wildfire that led to the evacuation of several homes. A video from the scene showed rescue workers and firefighters navigating a charred field as dark smoke rose from the still-burning flames. Officials at nearby Fort Hood confirmed the crash, with Cliff Coleman, spokesperson for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, stating that both occupants perished and describing the incident as a “violent crash.” The cause of the crash remained under investigation, with Fort Hood’s criminal investigation division leading the probe. Coleman noted that the helicopter did not strike any homes or structures during the incident. The Apache was reportedly on a routine training flight when the accident occurred. Fort Hood, a large military installation covering 214,968 acres (336 square miles), serves as a major training ground for deploying heavy forces. The arid terrain surrounding the base is considered ideal for such exercises. The base has previously experienced fatal incidents, including a Black Hawk helicopter crash in November 2015 that resulted in four soldier deaths and a 2016 incident where nine soldiers were killed after a rain-swollen creek swept their vehicle away. The AH-64 Apache, introduced in 1984, has played a crucial role in the US military’s operations, with its two-person crew positioned in tandem. In northern France, a coastal wildfire prompted the evacuation of about 1,200 people. While details remain limited, local authorities confirmed the need for urgent action to ensure public safety. This highlights the ongoing global challenge posed by wildfires, with different regions experiencing varying levels of impact based on environmental conditions and preparedness measures.