After enduring over a week of tension and worry, the majority of Summerland, B.C., residents can now return home. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief, calling it a long-awaited moment for the community. Following the rapid spread of the Bald Range wildfire on August 7, which tragically claimed the life of an elderly woman, the community of over 12,000 was compelled to evacuate.
Evacuation orders for 3,380 properties in Summerland were lifted at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday, marking the return of most residents. Additionally, some properties had their evacuation orders downgraded to alerts over the past weekend. However, as of the latest update, 530 properties in Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley, and Meadow Valley are still under evacuation orders until slope stability assessments are conducted by geotechnical experts.
Mayor Holmes emphasized the importance of ensuring safety before allowing residents to return, acknowledging the frustrations and challenges faced during the evacuation process. Notably, Garnet Valley remains without power, while a boil water advisory is in effect due to the water treatment plant outage. The community’s landfill is also ablaze, necessitating the transportation of waste to a regional facility.
The recent assessment by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen revealed approximately 150 structures damaged or destroyed by the fire, with around 40 of these within Summerland’s boundaries. Efforts are being made to support affected individuals, with social workers and counselors reaching out to those who suffered property losses.
Despite progress in containing the fire on its southern and eastern fronts, the 214-square-kilometer wildfire remains categorized as out of control. Firefighters are focusing on the west side, where the fire exhibits aggressive behavior. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the wildfire, striving to restore normalcy in the midst of ongoing challenges.