The ban will be rescinded throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, which includes Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, as of noon Thursday.
As of noon Friday, Aug. 28, the prohibition on all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and off-road side-by-side vehicles on Crown land outside municipal boundaries is no longer in effect.
Premier David Eby is scheduled to hold a media availability Wednesday afternoon in Penticton with local officials as wildfire response efforts remain active across the Okanagan.
The chief of the Penticton Indian Band is urging the provincial and federal governments to prioritize wildfire preparedness to help protect communities across B.C., including those in the Okanagan threatened by increasingly large fires.
The fight against the 15,590-hectare Bald Range wildfire is a “monumental task,” BC Wildfire Service incident commander Hugh Murdoch said during a Monday night emergency briefing, with crews facing a vast fireground and active fire behaviour around Summerland.
Penticton’s mayor said officials are watching the wind direction as the out-of-control Bald Range wildfire prompts evacuation orders and alerts for nearby areas.
The Bradley Creek wildfire near Vernon, B.C. is now classified as being held, according to the BC Wildfire Service, as evacuation restrictions ease in parts of the North Okanagan.
More than 12,000 people have been ordered out of Summerland as a wildfire west of the community grows to 9,500 hectares and Highway 97 is closed through the area, cutting the main route between Penticton and Peachland.
A potentially powerful El Niño could worsen drought conditions across B.C., prompting calls for stronger water protection measures from the next provincial government.
A potentially powerful El Niño could worsen drought conditions across B.C., prompting calls for stronger water protection measures from the next provincial government.
B.C.'s major political parties are pitching tax cuts, frozen auto insurance rates and education improvements as the provincial election campaign continues.
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