The Summerland, or Bald Range, wildfire ravaging an area of British Columbia south of Kelowna has taken the life of an 80-year-old woman.

On Friday at 5:15 pm, the fire was reported to the Summerland RCMP, and eight hours later, a sudden death in the Meadow Valley area was called in by a witness evacuating from the area.

Penticton RCMP confirm that the senior Meadow Valley resident was attempting to leave her home, along with one family member, when she reportedly died suddenly. Police believe her death to be a result of the wildfire.

BC Coroners Service is conducting an investigation. This is the only known fatality relating to the fire reported to police at this time.

The fire caused an evacuation order for more than 12,000 people in the District of Summerland late Friday night, with evacuees being asked to report to either the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre or Lions Hall in Westbank.