- The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has placed the Princeton-Summerland Road east of Thirsk Lake and west of the Bald Range Wildfire on evacuation alert.
- BC Wildfire Service reports that Thirsk Lake is approximately 14 kilometers from the northeast corner of the fire perimeter, and additional suppression options are being prepared.
- Premier David Eby is expected to arrive in Penticton for a press conference, and a state of local emergency remains in place.
- BC Wildfire Service notes that road access east of Thirsk Lake has been impacted, and crews are establishing control lines on the northern and southern flanks.
- Erick Thompson, communications manager with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, said they are watching the weather and 'hoping for the best.'
- BC Wildfire Service warns that thunderstorms could produce downdrafts and erratic winds, potentially increasing fire activity, though increasing cloud cover could help offset it.
- Thompson acknowledged that support services rollout has not always been perfect, and emphasized that passes are managed through the regional emergency operations centre, not handed out at the RDOS office.
- Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Kelly Greene said residents will be contacted directly about home damage, and rapid damage assessments will be done as soon as safely possible.
The Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia's Okanagan region has expanded to 18,450 hectares and remains out of control, prompting evacuation alerts west of Thirsk Lake. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued alerts as firefighting efforts intensify.
According to BC Wildfire Service, the fire's behavior is influenced by potential thunderstorms, which could produce downdrafts and erratic winds, complicating suppression efforts.
Erick Thompson, a communications manager, stated, "We are watching the weather and hoping for the best." He acknowledged the challenges evacuees face, emphasizing the importance of following established support systems.
Heavy equipment is being deployed to establish control lines, with crews working on both the northern and southern flanks of the fire. The BCWS update noted that road access has been impacted, and structure protection is being reinforced.
Premier David Eby is scheduled to hold a press conference to address the wildfire response, as a state of local emergency remains in effect. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene expressed understanding of evacuees' frustrations, assuring that damage assessments will be conducted as soon as it is safe to do so.
“BC Wildfire Service warns thunderstorms could bring downdrafts and erratic winds, potentially increasing fire activity, though cloud cover may help. Premier David Eby is expected in Penticton for a press conference, and a state of local emergency remains in place.”
