- Bald Range wildfire continues to burn out of control just outside of Summerland, B.C., and Peachland, with crews observing strong fire behaviour overnight.
- The fire has grown to more than 22,000 hectares due to strong winds and low humidity keeping crews busy along the southwestern flank.
- Highway 97 is open, but officials state that the situation remains dynamic.
- Air operations will be moved to Penticton Airport by Aug. 21, and the Incident Command Post will shift to Okanagan Falls over the next week.
- Residents can expect smouldering ground fire and smoke from within the fire perimeter over the coming weeks, which is common and typically not a concern.
- Local business owners report heavy financial losses, with 60-75% of revenue lost over the past two weeks.
- Crews conducted ignitions along the south flank northeast of Isintok Lake to bring the fire's edge to containment lines.
- Crews continue to assess opportunities to conduct small-scale ignitions as conditions allow, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
- The Bald Range wildfire has resulted in the destruction of at least 150 properties, reshaping the community.
The Bald Range wildfire continues to wreak havoc near Summerland and Peachland, now exceeding 22,000 hectares in size. Fire crews are battling strong winds and low humidity, which have exacerbated the situation, leading to significant property damage and economic losses for local businesses.12
At least 150 properties have been destroyed, leaving many residents and business owners grappling with the aftermath. Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery, reported losing thousands of dollars daily due to the inability to operate for nearly two weeks. He stated, “Everybody in Summerland knows one or more people that have lost a property.”10
Michael Magnusson, executive director of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, noted that businesses have faced a 60–75% revenue loss during this period as they prioritized assisting evacuees. He emphasized the need for community support, stating, “Anyone that is connected to the tourism business and visitation is absolutely feeling the crunch now.”
As residents return, local businesses are eager to reopen and welcome visitors back. Kubek urged the public to support all local businesses, saying, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a small business or a big business… just support them all.” The situation remains dynamic, with crews continuing to assess and manage the fire's behavior as conditions evolve.3
“Crews conducted ignitions along the south flank near Isintok Lake to bring the fire's edge to containment lines, while air operations shift to Penticton Airport by Aug. 21. Ron Kubek of Lightning Rock Winery says he's lost thousands of dollars per day and fears for other businesses, urging support for the community.”
Global News
