Summerland officials are targeting Thursday to allow residents of Prairie Valley, Deer Ridge and Garnet Valley to return home, although parts of Garnet Valley could reopen without electricity or pressurized water.
Chief administrative officer Graham Statt said during the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) 6 p.m. update Tuesday, Aug. 18, that 535 Summerland properties were under an evacuation order.
“Sometime Thursday is what we’re working for,” Statt said.
Statt did not provide a specific time. He said geotechnical assessments and utility restoration must be addressed before the evacuation order can be downgraded to an alert.
Statt said officials are examining areas near hillsides where the wildfire removed vegetation, raising concerns about ground stability and the potential for debris flows when rainfall returns.
Power has not been restored to the Garnet Valley pump station, leaving much of the valley without pressurized water, according to Statt. He said restoring electricity will take several more days.
Return may go despite utility outage
The district is considering allowing residents to return despite the utility outages.
“We’re inclined to just open that up anyway soon because we know people are responsible to make their own decisions, best for their own families,” Statt said.
He said some residents have generators or other resources that could make returning possible.
Faulder and Meadow Valley residents face a longer wait.
Statt said utility crews and heavy equipment are working throughout the area. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has also identified concerns about road access, while geotechnical hazards are being assessed.
Officials are trying to arrange visits for people whose properties were destroyed, but have not received clearance to bring residents into the area.
“There’s dialogue occurring with what mitigation might look like to alleviate those concerns, to ensure access and egress through that area,” Statt said.
RDOS information officer Erick Thompson said the restrictions are intended to protect residents and crews working along the road.
Statt also said he doubted rumours that electricity had been restored in Meadow Valley.
“It’s going to be a long road,” he said.
Many moved down to alert Tuesday
Approximately 3,400 Summerland properties were moved from an evacuation order to an alert earlier Tuesday.
The regional emergency operations centre has estimated about 150 structures were damaged or destroyed across Summerland and Electoral Area “F,” including approximately 40 in Summerland.
Statt said the estimate includes homes, garages and other outbuildings. He said assessors are also identifying carriage houses and the total is likely to increase.
“This is probably a number that’s going to grow in Summerland,” he said.
Statt said officials are contacting affected residents before releasing more detailed information. Counselling and on-site property visits are being offered where conditions allow.
He said properties with significant damage will be fenced and marked because of potential hazards.
Boil-water notice could last
Summerland’s boil-water notice could be in place for more than a week.
Statt said the district is testing water at the treatment plant and throughout the distribution system. A third-party company is also testing source water before the results are submitted to Interior Health.
He said completing the tests and obtaining Interior Health’s final assessment could take more than a week.
District guidance requires residents to boil tap water for at least one minute before drinking it or using it to prepare food. Boiled or bottled water should also be used for brushing teeth.
Landfill fire not toxic
Statt said a fire at the Summerland landfill involves compost and wood chips.
“We don’t have a situation where we have garbage or demolition materials burning at the landfill,” Statt said.
The district said the Summerland Landfill and Recycling Depot is closed until further notice. Food waste should be placed in household garbage, and temporary curbside collection calendars will be available at Summerland.ca.
Residents who have returned can visit the Recovery Centre at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre for information and connections to support services.
Thompson said the Bald Range wildfire was still classified as out of control Tuesday. He said variable winds and the fire’s volatility could produce rapid changes.
Thompson said the BC Wildfire Service had reported that two spot fires crossed a fireguard Tuesday but were dealt with quickly.
Residents under evacuation alert near Chain Lake, Bankeir, Link Lake, Osprey Lake and Mazama are being urged to monitor official information and prepare to leave if conditions change.
Key links and contacts
Information current as of Tuesday evening, Aug. 18.
Evacuation status and emergency updates
- RDOS latest emergency updates
- RDOS evacuation order and alert map
- District of Summerland wildfire updates
- Register for Voyent Alert!
- RDOS EOC information line: 250-490-4225
- RDOS EOC email: [email protected]
Wildfire and transportation status
- BC Wildfire Service Bald Range dashboard
- Bald Range information line: 236-425-9425
- Bald Range email: [email protected]
- DriveBC road conditions
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a mobile phone. Call 9-1-1 for an immediate emergency.
Support for evacuees and returning residents
- Emergency Support Services registration
- BC Evacuee Helpline: 1-800-387-4258
- ESS services are available at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Follow signs to Entrance 2.
- The Summerland Recovery Centre is at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre, 9525 Wharton St., second floor. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Temporary access permits
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 236-500-2936
Applicants should wait for approval before travelling to a roadblock. Applying does not guarantee access.
Additional support
- Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team: 250-328-4748 or [email protected]
- B.C. Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789, available 24 hours a day
- Interior Health wildfire mental-health resources
- B.C. Centre for Disease Control wildfire-smoke information
