After enduring over a week of worry and tension, the majority of Summerland, B.C., residents can now head back to their homes. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief, stating that this news had been eagerly anticipated by the community following the Bald Range wildfire outbreak on August 7, which tragically claimed the life of an elderly woman.
An evacuation order affecting 3,380 properties was rescinded at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday, marking the return of most Summerland residents. Efforts are underway to grant access to the remainder of the community in the coming days, with geotechnical and power works in progress according to Graham Statt, the District of Summerland’s chief administrative officer.
Residents expressed their relief upon returning home, recounting their fears of losing their properties to the flames. Jan Schumacher and Cory Lee Myers shared their emotional experiences of uncertainty and gratitude upon finding their homes intact and relatively unscathed. Summerland’s fire chief, Rob Robinson, highlighted the efforts to protect the downtown area despite the loss of some homes in the Herron Road vicinity.
While a significant number of properties have been cleared for reentry, 530 properties in Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley, and Meadow Valley remain under evacuation orders. The remaining residents of Summerland are on evacuation alert, advised to stay prepared for swift evacuation if necessary. Specific areas are still deemed unsafe pending geotechnical assessments, with Garnet Valley currently without power.
A boil water advisory is in effect due to the water treatment plant’s temporary shutdown during the wildfire evacuation. The landfill fire requires trash transportation to a regional district facility. Damage assessments so far indicate approximately 150 structures affected, with social and emotional support being extended to those who suffered losses. The wildfire, spanning 220 square kilometers, remains classified as out of control, with firefighting efforts focusing on the aggressive behavior on the west side.