EOC Update: Bald Range Wildfire (K51490), Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 3:30 pm

News Article
Published: August 19, 2026

INFORMATION RELEASE   

Latest updates

No new updates to Evacuation Orders or Alerts have been issued today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in response to the Bald Range Wildfire (K51490).

 For District of Summerland re-entry information, visit the District of Summerland re-entry webpage.

Residents are encouraged to check the Summerland Electric Utility address map to confirm the length of a power outage before deciding whether to discard fridge or freezer contents.

Unsure whether your address is under an Evacuation Alert or an Evacuation Order? Click here to look up your address through the interactive map.

Theft – BC Wildfire Service suppression equipment

BC Wildfire Service reported that critical equipment, including pumps, has been stolen and is asking anyone with information to contact the RCMP non-emergency line.

  • Theft of wildfire suppression equipment is affecting firefighting operations on the Bald Range Wildfire.
  • Officials emphasized that the equipment is clearly marked as BC Wildfire Service or Government of BC property and is essential to ongoing suppression efforts.

Water Information

For general Boil Water Notice information:

For businesses:

Comfort Centre

  • The Comfort Centre at Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton closed its operations on August 19, 2026.

Recovery Centre, Summerland

  • The Recovery Centre is now open at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre (9525 Wharton St., Summerland, 2nd Floor) to help residents access information, resources, and recovery support services following recent emergency events.
  • Hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. The centre is open seven days a week.

Reception Centre, Penticton

  • The hours at the Reception Centre located at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre have changed to 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  • All the same Emergency Support Services will still be available. Please follow posted signage, as the entrance will now be at Entrance 2.

Donations

  • For donation offers to the Bald Range Wildfire:

Email: baldrangefiredonations@rdos.bc.ca or

Online Form: Click here to fill out the online donation form

Stay informed

Residents are encouraged to follow official sources for updates, including:

Tune in on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 2:00 pm to the RDOS EOC livestream on YouTube for a special interview with Summerland Fire Chief Rob Robinson.


Updates below are unchanged

Approximately 110 damaged or destroyed structures are in Electoral Area “F”, including the Faulder and Meadow Valley areas, and 40 are in the District of Summerland. These are preliminary numbers and may change as damage assessments continue. If you have not yet called the Regional EOC to provide your contact information, please call 250-490-4225.

What residents need to know

  • The Regional EOC is continuing to reach property owners as information is confirmed.

If you haven’t yet done so, please call 250-490-4225 to provide your contact information.

  • Food waste should currently be placed in the garbage, not yard waste, due to an active fire involving woodchip and compost piles at the landfill.
  • The Boil Water Notice remains in effect until water testing is complete and the notice is lifted with approval from Interior Health.

 Re-entry information

The RDOS emergency operations staff are continuing to work through the necessary steps to allow for more re-entries as soon as it is safe to do so. Re-entry is being assessed area by area.

Before an area can reopen, several safety factors must be reviewed, including:

  • danger tree removal
  • geotechnical and slope stability concerns
  • power restoration
  • road safety
  • water quality
  • access for emergency services
  • active wildfire operations in the area

Wildfire response work will continue even as some areas reopen. Residents may continue to see helicopters, equipment, crews and staging activity in and around affected areas.

Once an area is confirmed safe for re-entry, notifications will be issued through Voyent Alert!. Updates will also be shared through official RDOS and District of Summerland communication channels.

Evacuation alerts and orders

Each local government and First Nation is responsible for issuing its own Evacuation Orders and Alerts. To view the full Alert and Order area, visit the BC Wildfire Service Mapping Dashboard and turn on the Evacuation Alerts and Orders map layer.

Information for evacuated residents

Register for ESS

Residents under an Evacuation Order should register for Emergency Support Services, even if they do not need specific supports at this time.

BC Evacuee Helpline: 1-800-387-4258

ESS locations include:

  • Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power Street, Penticton
  • Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street, West Kelowna
  • Chilliwack Reception Centre, 44680 Scheyey Rd, Chilliwack, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Temporary Access Permits

Temporary Access Permits are in high demand. Applicants must have a valid reason to re-enter an evacuation area. Each request is reviewed case by case based on safety conditions and individual circumstances. Apply online: Temporary Access Permit application or call 236-500-2936.

Transportation updates

Highway 97 is open in both directions 24 hours a day.

  • Please follow all traffic control instructions.

BC Transit is providing modified service for Summerland following wildfire activity and highway disruptions. Riders can check live service updates through BC Transit South Okanagan-Similkameen Alerts or call 1-844-442-2212.

For highway and road information, visit DriveBC.

 

Support for residents - click here for information and resources.

 

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

 

Issued by the EOC Director

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