Update Aug. 7, 11:40 pm
An evacuation order has been expanded to include campgrounds north and south of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park as wildfire conditions worsen in the area.
“B.C. Wildfire is in that area now, talking to campers. It is blowing embers,” officials said.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) warned that motorists travelling between Summerland and Peachland could see flames from the highway and should be prepared for a potential highway closure.
“If you don’t need to travel, please don’t. Local traffic only.”
Evacuees are being directed to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
“If you do know people outside of the impacted areas, that is a good thing for now,” officials said.
Evacuees are also encouraged to register for Emergency Support Services.
Update Aug. 7, 10:50 pm
Evacuation alerts due to the Bald Range wildfire have expanded into Peachland as the fire continues to burn in the South Okanagan, putting some Central Okanagan residents on high alert.
Approximately 55 people have been airlifted from affected areas, including Faulder, as evacuation orders and alerts remain in place across parts of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and the District of Summerland.
The RDOS confirmed the approximate number of people airlifted as evacuation efforts continue.
“We understand they were airlifted out of where they were and into Summerland to a safe location,” an RDOS information officer said.
An evacuation order has also been issued for upper Summerland, covering areas west of Victoria Road. Residents in the affected area are being urged to leave immediately due to the threat posed by the wildfire.
“If you live in Summerland and you can see the wildfire, then you know as much as anybody what’s happening — that there’s a threat to property, to life safety. So if you can, now is the time to go,” Thompson said.
In RDOS Electoral Area F, 311 properties are currently under an evacuation order, while 461 properties in the District of Summerland are under an evacuation order.
Another 100 properties in the RDOS are under an evacuation alert, while 1,916 properties in the District of Summerland remain under an evacuation alert.
Properties under an evacuation order must be vacated. Residents under an evacuation alert should be prepared to leave if conditions change.
Officials caution that the number of properties affected by evacuation orders and alerts could change as the situation develops.
An RDOS information officer urged residents to monitor official sources because wildfire conditions can change quickly.
“This fire that we’re dealing with right now is massive. The situation is dynamic, and if you’re in Summerland or the RDOS, the most up-to-date information comes from the RDOS information centre,” the officer said.
The District of Summerland is also asking residents to stop irrigation, including irrigation being used for structure protection, as firefighting operations place significant pressure on the community’s water system.
“Residents are asked to not irrigate at this time. High irrigation flows can impact the water treatment plant, which in turn could affect firefighting water flow. If you are irrigating your lawn or field at this time, please immediately stop this activity,” the district said.
A boil-water advisory is expected to come into effect for the District of Summerland as firefighting efforts put additional strain on the water system.
The Bald Range wildfire grew to approximately 50 square kilometres within three hours after breaking out.
Evacuees can go to emergency reception centres at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 550 Eckhardt Ave. West in Penticton, or the Lions Community Hall in Westbank.
Original Story
The fast-growing Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland in B.C.’s Okanagan was estimated at 5,000 hectares Friday night, prompting evacuation orders in the area.
The B.C. Wildfire Service estimated the fire at 50 hectares late Friday afternoon and 1,000 hectares Friday evening before the estimate increased to 5,000 hectares as of 9 p.m.
The wildfire service classified the blaze as rank 5, which includes an organized flame front, a fast rate of spread and moderate- to long-range spotting.
It said strong winds in the South Okanagan were expected to contribute to continued fire growth.
Firefighters, helicopters and air tankers were responding to the wildfire, while structure protection crews were working to protect buildings in the area.
Evacuation orders were issued around Faulder, a rural community west of Summerland. The affected area extended from Summerland’s western boundary to approximately kilometre 15 of Princeton-Summerland Road and included areas north toward Darke Lake and south to Bathville Road.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan also issued an evacuation order for properties in the Brent Road and Log Chute Road areas south of Peachland.
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen senior manager of communications and engagement Erick Thompson said saving human lives is the number one priority.
“Life safety is the most important thing right now, which is why we are trying to get this information out as quickly as possible.”
Thompson added that the fire has seen some of the fastest growth he has ever witnessed.
“We’ve dealt with major fires here before, but this, from what I can recall, is one of the quickest-moving, largest fires in such a short time. That is why information will be key. Don’t rely on Facebook if you don’t know if the information is confirmed from official sources.”
Residents were advised to check with their local emergency authority to determine whether their property was under an evacuation order or alert.
The District of Summerland and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen also urged residents to monitor official emergency updates and the Voyent Alert! notification service.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
