An 80-year-old woman died while trying to leave her home due to the Summerland wildfire, the Penticton RCMP says.

Mounties say they first learned of the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.

“Approximately eight hours later, officers also received a report of a sudden death in the Meadow Valley area, reported by a witness evacuating from the area,” police said.

The woman, a resident of Meadow Valley, was with a family member when she reportedly died suddenly.

“Police believe her death to be a result of the wildfire,” the RCMP said. “BC Coroners Service is conducting an investigation to confirm the nature of the woman’s death.”

No further details are being released, as the family is asking for privacy, said Supt. Beth McAndie, officer in charge of the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Regional RCMP Detachment.

“This wildfire has been a deeply traumatic event for all those in the region,” McAndie said.

“Our thoughts are with this family, who are now grappling with the loss of their loved one.”

On Saturday, B.C. Premier David Eby declared a province-wide state of emergency due to the Bald Range blaze, which had grown quickly due to intense winds.

“We know there have been significant losses of homes and property,” Eby said at the time.

“We also know that some people became trapped as conditions changed quickly. To everyone affected, you are not facing this alone – the entire province is with you.”

Over 20,000 residents in the Summerland area needed to be evacuated within 24 hours of the wildfire first being reported.

As of Sunday evening, police say this was the only known fatality related to the wildfire.

— With files from Raynee Novak