Bald Range Wildfire: August 13 Update

Peachland and Electoral Area West, B.C. – All evacuation orders and evacuation alerts remain in place for the Bald Range Wildfire. The Bald Range Wildfire grew 700 hectares overnight pegging the fire size at 19,149 hectares.

While some residents may not always see significant fire activity near their community, BC Wildfire Service advises that the Bald Range Wildfire remains highly influenced by weather and wind conditions. Fire behaviour can change rapidly, particularly when winds increase or shift direction. Previous BC Wildfire Service updates have noted that convective activity, thunderstorms and erratic winds have the potential to increase fire behaviour and challenge suppression efforts.

The Bald Range Wildfire remains a dynamic and challenging incident, with fire activity continuing on multiple flanks of the wildfire under extreme drought conditions and very dry fuels. Emergency officials and BC Wildfire Service continue to assess current conditions throughout the day. While wind, temperature and humidity must be factored, of particular concern are the exceptionally dry fuel conditions across the fire area. BC Wildfire Service reports that the Bald Range Wildfire area and surrounding region have received approximately two millimetres of rain since July 1, with no measurable precipitation since Aug. 1. The wildfire danger rating remains extreme, and fuels continue to be highly receptive to fire growth.

Emergency officials understand how difficult evacuation orders and alerts are for residents, families and communities. These decisions are not made lightly using the best information available about current wildfire conditions and what may happen next. The main goal is to protect lives and first responders working on the wildfire.

We know you want to return home. We want that too. We are closely monitoring and our goal remains to keep you safe and to safely return you home.

What you should do

• Continue to monitor official updates and evacuation information.
• Be prepared for changing conditions, particularly during periods of increased wind activity or unstable weather.
• Residents under evacuation alert should remain prepared to leave immediately if conditions deteriorate.
• Ensure you are subscribed to emergency notifications and regularly check official information sources for updates.
• Take FireSmart actions around your property where it is safe to do so.

No further changes to orders or alerts are expected today.

This will be the last update from the Emergency Operations Centre this evening unless conditions change.

Important reminders

• Continue to monitor coemergency.ca for updates on evacuation orders and alerts, and use coemergency.ca/map to check your address and determine whether your property is affected. Subscribe for notifications at coemergency.ca/subscribe and follow Central Okanagan Emergency Management on X (@CO_Emerg) and Facebook (facebook.com/coemergencymanagement) for up-to-date information.

• Residents on evacuation alert should be prepared to leave immediately if conditions change. 

  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit

  • Gather important documents and medications

  • Make a plan for pets and livestock

  • Know how to shut off utilities at your property

  • Review your insurance coverage 

  • Ensure you have an evacuation plan for your household.
    Find out more at PreparedBC emergency guides and resources - Province of British Columbia 

• Stay well clear of wildfire aircraft operating on and around Okanagan Lake. If you see firefighting aircraft working on the lake, move out of the area immediately and stay close to shore until operations have passed.

• The operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

• Stay informed of air quality alerts and find out what you can do to protect yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke by visiting Wildfires | Interior Health.

• Find the latest road closure updates for Highway 97 at DriveBC.

• Other services within evacuated areas may be impacted by access issues including garbage collection and mail delivery.

• To reach the call centre at the Emergency Operations Centre, call 250-469-8490.

ESS SUPPORTS

• ESS reception centre is open Friday, Aug. 14, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• Evacuated and not yet registered with ESS? Register through the ERA tool at ESS.gov.bc.ca. In-person assistance is available at the Westbank Lions Community Centre (2466 Main St., West Kelowna).

• Need to renew ESS supports? If you received an e-transfer, call 1-800-387-4258 and have your file number ready. 

• Need other renewals or in-person support? Visit the ESS reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Centre. 

• Need overnight lodging? Group lodging is available at Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Rd., West Kelowna). RVs and trailers can park overnight at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Rd., West Kelowna) and access services at Royal LePage Place.

• Visit ESS.gov.bc.ca to register or learn more.

For the latest information on evacuation orders, alerts, map and wildfire response activities, visit the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website: Bald Range Wildfire information page and BC Wildfire Service.