Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground.

McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter for people displaced by the fires.

The minister said the province has not yet formally requested the military's deployment on the ground. Canadian Armed Forces personnel remain in contact with the B.C. government and federal officials and are prepared to respond if an official request is made.

The Bald Range wildfire has affected areas around Okanagan Lake and expanded rapidly Saturday toward the outskirts of Summerland. About 20,000 residents were forced to leave their homes as evacuation measures were put in place.