Wildfire near Summerland, B.C., remains active as residents return

The Sunflower Ukrainian Cafe in Summerland, B.C., is reopening and serving limited borscht and cabbage rolls to residents returning home after the community's wildfire evacuation. Iuliia Borysenko, co-owner of the business, expressed delight at seeing customers again, noting that neighbors are helping each other. The cafe's display fridge was damaged during a power outage caused by the fire, but a replacement is on the way.

Most homes in Summerland have had their evacuation orders lifted, though the Bald Range wildfire continues to burn out of control. Over 4,500 properties have been taken off the evacuation list, though they remain on evacuation alert. More than 150 structures have been destroyed by the blaze, with about 110 in and around Faulder and Meadow Valley, and 40 in Summerland.

Erick Thompson, from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, said returning would be different for everyone, especially those without homes to return to. The fire has destroyed homes and left behind smoldering stench, dust, and ash. Fire suppression equipment has been reported stolen, posing a challenge for crews battling the blaze.

The BC Wildfire Service reported that fire activity remains active in the southwestern flank, with a spot fire extinguished. Firefighters saved homes from the fire, which has grown by an average of eight square kilometres per day.