After enduring over a week of tension and worry, the majority of Summerland, B.C., residents can now head back to their homes. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief, stating this was the news everyone had eagerly awaited following the outbreak of the Bald Range wildfire on August 7, which tragically claimed the life of an elderly woman.
A significant evacuation order affecting 3,380 properties was rescinded at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday, marking the return of most of Summerland’s population. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen disclosed in an evening briefing on Tuesday that efforts were underway to grant access to the remaining areas of Summerland in the coming days.
Graham Statt, the chief administrative officer of the District of Summerland, mentioned ongoing geotechnical assessments and power restoration work to ensure the safety of the community. Statt expressed optimism about lifting the evacuation orders by Thursday, emphasizing the dedicated efforts being made to expedite access to these regions.
In a separate development, evacuation orders were lifted for a smaller number of properties over the past weekend. Upon returning home, residents such as Jan Schumacher and Cory Lee Myers shared their emotional experiences of witnessing the wildfire’s impact on their properties and the relief of finding their homes unscathed.
Acknowledging the heroic efforts of firefighters, Rob Robinson, Summerland’s fire chief, highlighted the challenges faced in protecting the community, noting a few homes were lost, but the downtown area was preserved.
While a portion of Summerland remains under evacuation orders, Mayor Holmes reiterated the need for caution until geotechnical evaluations are completed in certain areas. A boil water advisory is in effect due to water treatment disruptions, and the community’s landfill is still ablaze, necessitating waste transportation to a regional facility.
Despite significant property damage, the community is coming together to support those affected, with social workers and counselors assisting individuals who suffered losses. As of Tuesday, the wildfire, spanning 220 square kilometers, remained uncontained, with firefighters focusing on controlling its aggressive behavior on the western front after securing the southern and eastern flanks.