08/18/2026
What you need to know about B.C. wildfires on Aug. 18
Evacuation order lifted for residents of 3,380 Summerland properties
Steven Chua, Simon Little · CBC News ·
Posted: Aug 18, 2026 5:00 AM PDT
"Evacuation order lifted for most Summerland residents
More than a week after the devastating Bald Range wildfire swept through the Summerland area, the majority of the community's 12,000 residents have been given the go-ahead to return home.
Speaking on CBC's Daybreak South Tuesday, Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said the district had downgraded an evacuation order for another 3,380 properties as of 7 a.m. PT.
Holmes said that covers "the majority of Summerland."
"It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for for the last week," he said.
"We had to do it very carefully, I know there was a lot of frustration, people waiting, I was feeling frustrated myself — but we had to do it properly, and orderly, and this is the big day.”
Holmes said 530 properties remain under evacuation orders, all of them in the Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley and Meadow Valley.
He said crews were still doing geotechnical work to ensure slope stability in the adjacent mountains, and that Garnet Valley was still without power.
He added that the entire community remains under a boil water advisory.
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene said anyone returning to their home should do a perimeter walk to check for hazards, including downed wires, gas leaks or damage.
“If you see something that could be dangerous, immediately contact your local authority," she said.
Estimated 150 structures damaged, destroyed
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said it was seeking to contact the owners of structures that have been either damaged or destroyed by the Bald Range fire.
"We have counselling available for those individuals," said Graham Statt, chief administrative officer of the District of Summerland. "We go on site with them if they wish to do so."
On Monday evening, the regional district released a preliminary estimate that about 150 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Statt said about 40 of the structures were in the municipality's boundaries.
"It’s a rough number, it’s a live number," said Statt.
He added the estimate may increase as more information becomes available.
At the moment, it’s unclear what kind of structures were damaged and officials were unable to say how many, if any, were homes.
Efforts turned to western flank of Bald Range fire
Firefighters are holding the out-of-control Bald Range wildfire behind control lines on its southern and eastern flanks.
The fire spanned over 220 square kilometres as of Tuesday morning.
The BCWS said crews will now be prioritizing efforts on the fire’s western flank, which is continuing to show aggressive behaviour, though it remains about 18 kilometres away from the Osprey Lake area.
Highway 97 is open, though no exits are permitted into areas that remain under evacuation orders.
Summerland residents 'very thankful' to return: councillor
Summerland Coun. Erin Trainer told CBC's On The Coast she was able to return home on Friday.
"I opened the door and it smelled like we’d had a campfire in our house," said Trainer. "It was quite overwhelming. We had a layer of ash over everything."
About 800 properties were downgraded from an evacuation order to an alert on Sunday, primarily residents living on the east side of Highway 97, she said.
"Everybody was just relieved to get home," she said. "They were just happy. Very thankful."
But she noted some people still can’t return.
"We’re not OK until everyone’s OK," she said.
Four major wildfires of note continue to burn out of control, including the Bald Range, Pear Lake, Ainslie Creek and Brunswick Creek fires.
As of Tuesday morning, there were about 2,200 people under an evacuation order in B.C., and another 14,900 people under an evacuation alert, meaning they must be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province expects dangerous fire conditions to persist for at least another month.
“We are in it for the long haul unless the weather picture changes," he said.
Hotter temperatures and drier conditions are expected this coming week for B.C., with the exception of the far northwest region of the province.
Winds will continue to remain light in the southern half of the province.
Wildfire smoke concerns
Environment Canada has issued orange and yellow air quality warnings for much of southern B.C.
B.C.'s Air Quality Health Index forecasts the potential for "moderate" health risks in the south, central and north Okanagan, Sparwood, Cranbrook, the central and eastern Fraser Valley, northeast and northwest Metro Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Kamloops and Castlegar.
It's a problem Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said was becoming "all too common" during B.C. summers, as she urged people to avoid strenuous exercise outdoors.
“Trust your senses. If you see or smell smoke, your air quality is being affected," she said.
Henry said wildfire smoke can be particularly hazardous to older adults and infants, along with people who have respiratory illnesses or chronic diseases, and that the long-term effects of exposure remain unclear.
Those at higher risk of the fine particulate matter known as PM 2.5 contained in wildfire smoke can protect themselves by staying indoors and use air conditioning or home-made air filters to clean the air.
People who must be outside can consider using a well-fitted respirator like an N-95 mask, which Henry said can be picked up for free through a partnership with the Red Cross."
