About 450 properties in the District of Summerland could be cleared for re-entry Thursday afternoon as officials prepare to downgrade evacuation orders across much of the community.
“If you live in any area of Summerland except north of Wild Horse Road, prepare to go home,” chief administrative officer Graham Statt said during an emergency update Wednesday evening.
Statt said approximately 80 properties north of Wildhorse Road would stay under evacuation order until at least Friday, Aug. 21.
Thousands return in phases
Summerland’s entire population of about 12,300 people was ordered out early Saturday, Aug. 8. The community-wide evacuation order covered 5,688 properties.
The phased return began Friday, Aug. 14, when 400 properties were cleared for re-entry. About 800 more were cleared Sunday, followed by approximately 3,400 Tuesday, bringing the reported total through the first three phases to about 4,600 properties.
The planned change would cover Prairie Valley and Deer Ridge, along with areas near Callan Road and Garnet Valley Road as far north as Wildhorse Road.
No re-entry time has been set. Statt said it would not happen first thing Thursday morning and residents must wait for a Voyent Alert! notification before entering an area covered by an evacuation order.
“Until that time, you will not be able to access the areas,” he said.
Statt cautioned that an unexpected hazard could force officials to change the plan.
He said officials hoped to downgrade the order north of Wildhorse Road on Friday. Danger trees were leaning over the road while crews repaired power lines and damaged poles. Heavy equipment was also operating throughout the area.
“We just don’t feel it’s a safe place for people to be,” he said.
Some services may be unavailable
Statt warned that some Garnet Valley residents may return without fully restored electricity or water service.
He said the area was significantly affected by the Bald Range wildfire, with damaged or destroyed structures along Garnet Valley Road. The electrical network may reach the roadside while individual properties require additional work before service can be restored.
“It’s not like you go home and turn the lights on in every case,” he said.
Statt said crews hoped to have the water system pressurized, but advised residents to bring fresh water in case it was not ready. He said Summerland’s Boil Water Notice would apply when residents return.
Statt said FortisBC crews would work through reopened neighbourhoods to restore natural gas service safely. Crews may go door to door, and residents can contact FortisBC if they need help having their service reconnected.
Statt said damaged or destroyed properties could be kept under individual evacuation orders. That would allow displaced residents to retain access to Emergency Support Services after the surrounding neighbourhood reopens.
He said support would end for residents whose properties are accessible and not covered by individual orders once the broader evacuation order is downgraded.
About 100 BC Hydro personnel working in fire zone
BC Hydro representative Dudley Coulter said about 100 personnel were working in the fire zone, with more arriving from across the province.
Coulter said crews had identified at least 237 damaged power poles and expected the number to rise.
He said the restoration work involved removing danger trees, clearing downed wires and assessing damaged infrastructure before major repairs could begin.
BC Hydro said customers subject to an evacuation order lasting five days or longer are eligible for an automatic credit covering electricity used during the evacuation. The credit will appear on a future bill.
For residential properties destroyed by the fire, the utility will automatically waive electricity charges back to the previous billing period, including electricity used before the evacuation order.
Customers do not need to contact BC Hydro to report an evacuation order because the utility monitors those changes.
Recovery Centre assists more than 170 people
Statt said Summerland’s Recovery Centre at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre assisted more than 170 people Wednesday.
He said the centre was available to residents who had returned home and those whose properties were under evacuation order. Staff can connect residents with support programs and provide copies of the community’s re-entry guide.
The emergency update provided no timetable for re-entry in Electoral Area “F,” including Faulder, Meadow Valley and Fish Lake.
Officials said crews in those rural areas were removing danger trees and addressing hazards from damaged electrical infrastructure.
Residents can apply for temporary access permits if they have a valid reason to enter a property under evacuation order. Each request is reviewed according to safety conditions and individual circumstances, and applying does not guarantee access.
Key links and contacts
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, utility and transportation information
- BC Wildfire Service Bald Range dashboard
- Bald Range information line: 236-425-9425
- Bald Range email: [email protected]
- BC Hydro assistance for evacuees
- BC Hydro customer service: 1-800-224-9376
- FortisBC service restoration information
- FortisBC gas restoration line: 1-877-711-8877
- DriveBC road conditions
Support and temporary access
- Emergency Support Services registration
- BC Evacuee Helpline: 1-800-387-4258
- Summerland Recovery Centre information
- Apply for a temporary access permit
- Temporary access permit email: [email protected]
- Temporary access permit line: 236-500-2936
- For an immediate emergency, call 9-1-1.
