After enduring over a week of tension and worry, the majority of Summerland, B.C., residents can now return to their homes. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief over the lifting of the evacuation order for 3,380 properties early Tuesday morning, marking a significant step towards normalcy for the community of over 12,000 individuals. The evacuation order, stemming from the rapid spread of the Bald Range wildfire since its outbreak on August 7, resulted in the tragic loss of an 80-year-old woman.
While a smaller number of properties had their evacuation orders lifted over the past weekend, 530 properties in Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley, and Meadow Valley areas still remain under evacuation orders. The rest of Summerland residents are under an evacuation alert, remaining on standby for potential evacuation.
Mayor Holmes emphasized the continued risks in specific areas until geotechnical experts can assess slope stability above the communities, with Garnet Valley currently lacking power supply. Additionally, a boil water advisory remains due to the community’s water treatment plant being offline during the evacuation, and the landfill is still ablaze, necessitating waste transportation to a regional district facility.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen reported damage to approximately 150 structures by the fire, with around 40 of those structures located within the municipality. Efforts are underway to offer support to those who lost property, with social workers and counselors reaching out to provide assistance and allowing affected individuals to visit their properties prior to the lift of the evacuation order.
Despite some progress in containment efforts, the 214-square-kilometer fire is still classified as out of control as of Tuesday. Firefighters have contained the fire on the southern and eastern flanks but are focusing on the aggressive behavior of the fire’s west side.
The community’s resilience and ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the wildfire reflect a collective commitment to recovery and rebuilding.