The impacts of the Bald Range Wildfire are still being felt by many residents, and recovery will be an ongoing process. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), together with partner agencies and community organizations, remains committed to helping residents access the information, services, and resources available to support their recovery.

Latest updates

Access restrictions and safety concerns remain unchanged
The BC Wildfire Service's decision to rescind its Area Restriction Order reflects a change in BC Wildfire Service activity. Access restrictions and safety concerns remain unchanged. While wildfire suppression activities have decreased, significant hazards remain within the affected area and recovery work is ongoing. As the incident transitions from wildfire response to community recovery, the RDOS continues to manage access through a Prohibit Entry Order for designated properties in Faulder, South Meadow Valley, and Callan Road. Access remains limited to authorized property owners and approved individuals displaying a valid Access Permit, and Princeton-Summerland Road remains closed to through traffic except for residents, permit holders, and authorized crews supporting recovery efforts.

Ash sifting – Samaritan's Purse Canada 
Samaritan's Purse arrived Wednesday, September 2, and has set up at the baseball diamond and part of the adjacent parking lot at Powell Beach in Summerland. The organization will be available for approximately five weeks to support people who lost their homes in the wildfire.

Trained volunteers, equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment, will conduct ash sifting activities at destroyed home sites to help families recover important personal belongings and keepsakes.

To register, call 1-833-738-7743 and leave a message. All Samaritan’s Purse services are provided free of charge.

RDOS Board of Directors update
At the Thursday, September 3, 2026, Board Meeting, the RDOS Board of Directors approved two relief measures for properties in Electoral Area “F” that lost their principal dwelling in the 2026 Bald Range Wildfire:

1)      For eligible properties, the RDOS will temporarily suspend bylaw enforcement related to the placement and occupancy of up to two recreational vehicles on the affected property for up to five years from the date of Board approval, subject to the following conditions:

a)       The RVs should be certified to the CSA Z240 RV Series or an equivalent recognized recreational vehicle safety standard. 

b)      The temporary measure applies only to the placement and occupancy of RVs. It does not remove permit requirements for decks, foundations, additions, accessory structures, utility work, renovations, rebuilding or any other regulated construction.

c)       Wastewater and sewage disposal must comply with Interior Health requirements and any applicable onsite sewerage system approvals. Wastewater cannot be discharged to the ground, roadside ditches, watercourses or other unapproved locations.

d)      The RDOS may respond to public health, nuisance, fire safety or other health and safety concerns.

e)      The temporary RV bylaw enforcement suspension remains in effect until the replacement dwelling has achieved full occupancy, or until the five-year period expires, whichever occurs first.

2)      A 50% reduction in Building Permit and Demolition Permit fees for up to five years to support rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Updates below are unchanged

Help protect the Faulder Water System and Meadow Valley aquifer

Initial recovery efforts have commenced for the Faulder Water System by RDOS staff.

Wildfire damage and recovery activities can increase the risk of contamination entering private wells and groundwater sources. Property owners with private wells are encouraged to:

• Locate and mark wells before debris removal or site restoration begins
• Inspect well heads and caps for damage, including cracks, warping, missing parts, or openings that could allow contaminants to enter
• Repair damaged wells by contacting a qualified well driller
• Test well water and follow Interior Health guidance if the property was affected by wildfire or recovery work

Residents who are unsure whether they have a well on their property can contact RDOS Utilities at 250-490-4135 for assistance.

Summerland Landfill now accepting fridges and freezers

The Summerland Landfill will now accept fridges and freezers during open hours. Residents and contractors should speak with an attendant before unloading. No other large appliances or metal items will be accepted until the landfill fully reopens.

Fridges and freezers should be emptied before coming to the landfill. Garbage is not accepted at the Summerland Landfill due to active fires on site. The Campbell Mountain Landfill remains the closest landfill accepting garbage.

 Currently, only the residential recycling area is open at the Summerland Landfill. This area only receives residential paper and packaging, small electronics, alarms, light bulbs and batteries. It is open from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm, Monday to Saturday. It will be closed on Sundays and Statutory Holidays, including Labour Day on Monday, September 7. For more information, please visit summerland.ca.

Support for families affected by wildfires

Families affected by recent wildfires are invited to attend a free online webinar on Monday, September 7 at 6:30 pm. Child development expert Dr. Vanessa Lapointe and counsellor Carmen Ohori will share practical tips to help children and families cope with wildfire impacts, evacuation, displacement, and returning to daily routines.Registration is available through Eventbrite.

Re-entry package pickup
Re-entry packages for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) residents are available for pickup at the RDOS main office, located at 101 Martin Street, in Penticton, during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For District of Summerland residents, re-entry packages are available for pickup at the Recovery Centre at Giant’s Head School.

Re-entry packages are specific to each property. To protect privacy and ensure information is released to the correct property owner or resident, government-issued photo ID and proof of residence are required at pickup.

Residents returning to areas previously under an Evacuation Order are encouraged to review the      re-entry guide for important information and resources, including:

• Checking your property for potential hazards
• Next steps if you have a well or private water system
• Safe disposal of food and damaged appliances
• Accessing available support services and recovery information

Bald Range Wildfire Recovery Centre - Summerland location open

• Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm 
• Location: Giant’s Head School, 10503 Prairie Valley Road
• Services include information and resource support for needs arising from the fire
• Partner agency recovery and Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers on-site on Fridays
• Free 24/7 mental health support: 310-6789

For further information, contact the Regional EOC information line: 250-490-4225.

Restricted Area Access Permits

The EOC is no longer issuing Temporary Access Permits. Residents within the restricted area have been provided with Restricted Area Access Permits. If you are a resident and have not received a permit but need to travel within the Faulder area between Summerland and Princeton, contact the RDOS. Anyone requiring access through the checkpoints must have a Restricted Area Access Permit.

Restricted Area Access Permits may be issued for contractors, remediation work, insurance assessments, hazardous material services, and debris removal. If you meet any of the listed criteria, contact the homeowner who has hired or engaged you. The homeowner can issue the required access permit.

Prohibit Entry Order (formerly named Restricted Access Status) in effect for specific properties in Electoral Area "F"

The RDOS has transitioned select properties in Faulder, South Meadow Valley, and Callan Road from an Evacuation Order to a Prohibit Entry Order (formerly referred to as Restricted Access Status). This name change to Prohibit Entry Order does not affect any of the details of the order. Residents entering these areas must display their Access Permit on their vehicle dashboard.For a list of affected properties and more information, view the Prohibit Entry Order.

Princeton-Summerland Road remains closed to through traffic until further notice. Access is limited to residents with an access permit, residents in restricted areas, and authorized crews. Traffic control is in place. Please use Highway 5A or Highway 3 as alternate routes.

BC Wildfire Service: A BC Wildfire Service area restriction is in effect, covering the Bald Range fire perimeter. For details on the area restriction, visit BCWildfire.ca. For questions about access to evacuation order areas, including portions of the Princeton-Summerland Road, please contact 250-490-4225.

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

The ESS Reception Centre at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre has closed. Residents who require assistance can continue to contact ESS by phone at 250-486-1890, available daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

• The ESS Helpline is also available at 1-800-387-4258, available daily from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
• Additional details about ongoing support services will be shared as they become available

Stay informed

Bald Range Wildfire livestream updates: The Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will provide daily updates at 2:00 pm on the RDOS YouTube channel.

• This week through Friday, September 4
• Livestream resumes Tuesday, September 8

Regional Matters: Connecting the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys

Starting Friday, September 11, 2026, at 2:00 pm, updates on Bald Range Wildfire recovery efforts will be shared through a new livestream on the RDOS YouTube channel.

Regional Matters will provide residents with timely news, updates, and information about projects, initiatives, and events taking place throughout the Regional District. The livestream is designed to help keep communities informed, connected, and engaged on the issues that matter most across the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.

Monitor official sources for the latest updates:

• Sign up for Voyent Alert! to receive notifications via email, text, and phone
• View the interactive map on the RDOS website (Current Evacuation Orders, Alerts, Rescinds)
• snpink’tn Indian Band (PIB)
• District of Summerland

• RDOS
• City of Penticton
• Emergency Support Services (ESS) (1-800-387-4258)
• BC Wildfire Service

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Issued by the EOC Director