- Highway 97 near Summerland, B.C., was reopening between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. after the fire forced its closure overnight on Aug. 7, with no access to side roads leading to evacuation areas without a temporary pass.
- The fire spanned about 191 square kilometres on Thursday, up from about 184 square kilometres the day before, burning on the western shores of Okanagan Lake.
- Thunderstorms had begun developing over the northwestern portion of the blaze, and its behaviour would depend on the level of instability and winds accompanying the weather system.
- Officials could not yet shed light on the scope of structural losses, saying it was still an active fire zone, and rapid damage assessments started Tuesday in areas north and south of Summerland.
- There was no timeline yet for when evacuees may be able to return home.
- Mountain goats thought to have escaped the blaze, with the herd of about 30 animals believed to be north of the fire.
- Premier David Eby described B.C.'s wildfire season as brutal, with a blaze that killed an 80-year-old woman and displaced some 20,000 people in the south Okanagan.
The Bald Range fire in British Columbia's Okanagan has surged to 191 square kilometers, leading to significant disruptions including the closure of Highway 97 and the evacuation of approximately 20,000 residents. Premier David Eby characterized the wildfire season as "brutal," following the tragic death of an 80-year-old woman due to the fires.1210
An update from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen indicated that while a section of Highway 97 near Summerland reopened during the day, access to side roads remains restricted without a temporary pass. The fire's rapid growth has raised concerns, with officials noting that it expanded from 184 square kilometers to 191 square kilometers in just one day, primarily affecting the western shores of Okanagan Lake.
The BC Wildfire Service reported that thunderstorms are developing over the blaze, which could influence its behavior depending on wind conditions. Chief Greg Gabriel of the Penticton Indian Band emphasized the need for more proactive measures to mitigate such wildfires, stating that they are not natural occurrences and are exacerbated by worsening drought conditions. He also called for an alternative escape route for residents, who faced long vehicle lines while evacuating.4
As assessments of structural damage begin, officials have not yet provided details on the extent of losses, and there remains no timeline for when evacuees may return home.7
“Premier David Eby called the season 'brutal' after the blaze killed an 80-year-old woman and displaced some 20,000 people. A herd of about 30 mountain goats is thought to have escaped, believed to be north of the fire.”
