More Summerland residents allowed home as Bald Range fire grows to 24,000 hectares
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has downgraded an evacuation order to an alert for nearly the entire community except the Garnet Valley area.
As the Bald Range wildfire continues to burn out of control in Summerland, B.C., more residents are now eligible to return home. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has reduced an evacuation order to a fire alert for most of the community, while homes in the Garnet Valley area remain under evacuation advisories. Despite recent smoke from other fires dampening activity, the BC Wildfire Service anticipates conditions could worsen on Friday with potential wind increases and temperatures reaching the 30s.
With humidity levels also expected to drop, the fire has scorched over 24,000 hectares since igniting two weeks ago and destroyed approximately 150 structures. The BC Wildfire Service is maintaining 24-hour operations, deploying ground crews, structure protection personnel, and aerial support including bucketing helicopters, night-vision-equipped helicopters, and airtanker assistance.
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