Okanagan Indian Band

08/12/2026

Community Update Bradley Creek Wildfire Response Update

Update as of 4:30pm August 12, 2026

Way’ Members,

All current Evacuation Orders, shown in red, and Evacuation Alerts shown in yellow remain in place at this time. Please see the attached map for details

As the widespread smoke clears from the skies, smouldering pockets of deep burning hot spots within the fire perimeter area may become more visible. Smoke may remain visible over the coming days as crews continue direct attack and mop-up operations to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots. The Bradley Creek fire still has 50 fire fighters and 2 helicopters assigned and responding.

Members and residents should remain aware of lightning as the possibility of weather systems pass through our region in the coming days.

https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=50.264,-119.269

BC Wildfire continues to make progress on containment of the K51402 Quilpituk Creek and K41351 Bradley Creek wildfires. Progress on theses fires will inform any decisions made on evacuation orders along Westside Road and OKIB in the coming days.
Due to the K51402 Quilpituk Creek wildland fire, the south end of Westside Road remains closed at Wilson’s Landing.

OKIB continues to coordinate with partner agencies for planning, repair and restoration of services. Work in the fire-affected areas will take additional time for OKIB to clear these areas as safe.

For more information on returning to your house after Evacuation Orders end, please visit the First Nation Health Authority - Returning to Your House After a Wildlife below:

https://fnha.ca/wp-content/uploads/migrated/Documents/FNHA-Returning-to-Your-Home-After-Wildfires.pdf

08/11/2026

Community Update: Wildlife Safety and Awareness

Update as of 4:00pm, Aug. 11, 2026

Notice for Residents Returning Home

Residents returning home are asked to be especially aware of wildlife. OKIB crews have reported increased wildlife sightings in the community as animals displaced by the wildfire search for food and water.

Please supervise children and pets outdoors, use extra caution at dawn and dusk, secure garbage and recycling, and remove potential food sources from around your property. Hungry, injured or displaced wildlife may behave unpredictably.

If you see a bear around homes or community buildings, please report it:

➡️OKIB Community Safety & Bylaw Dispatch
250-306-3892
[email protected]
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

➡️Conservation Officer Service R.A.P.P. Hotline
1-877-952-7277

Please stay aware and give wildlife plenty of space as our community continues to recover from the Bradley Creek Wildfire.

https://www.okib.ca/news/community-update-wildlife-safety-and-awareness/

08/11/2026

Community Update: Bradley Creek Wildfire

Update as of 4:00pm August 11th, 2026

Way’ Everyone,

BC Wildfire crews continue to make progress towards full containment of the Bradley Creek Wildland Fire, at the same time, recovery work is ongoing, preparing Westside Road for a safe re-entry.

Currently, Westside Road remains closed to non-emergency personnel on the north end at the crossing of Irish Creek Road, and on the south end due to the Quilpituk Creek Wildland Fire , Westside Road is closed north of Wilsons Landing.

We know one of the biggest questions from Members and residents who remain evacuated is ‘when can we return to our homes and properties?’. While a specific date has not been identified, work continues towards that goal.

Work to restore utility services is still taking place, but significant danger-tree and hazard mitigation still needs to take place, allowing a safe access along both Westside Road and side roads within OKIB IR 1.

OKIB continues to coordinate with partner agencies for planning, repair and restoration of services to ensure a safe return when it is possible.

Our goal remains to return people home as soon as it is safe to do so. We know every additional day away from home is difficult, and we ask for your patience while this work is completed. We will not rush a re-entry decision before the work required to make that decision has been done.

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
Further information will continue to be shared through OKIB’s official communication channels as it is confirmed.

https://www.okib.ca/news/community-update-bradley-creek-wildfire/

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

Community Notice: Planned Hydro Outages August 11th Irish Creek/Head of the Lake Area

Update as of August 11, 11:30pm, 2026

Please be advised that BC Hydro has given notice that planned outages will be taking place today, August 11th.

Outages are being planned to allow reconnection of repaired lines. Head of the Lake and Westside Road Residents including Irish Creek should be advised that the 2:00pm outage is expected to take place over 2 hours with the possibility of more outages in the coming days as work proceeds.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation, We will post more information about the latest updates when they become available on our communication channels and website: https://www.okib.ca/news/community-notice-planned-hydro-outages-august-11th-irish-creek-head-of-the-lake-area/

08/11/2026

wayʼ Members,

Today, communities across the Nation are being invited to come together in prayer for the land, the tmixʷ, our people, those who have been evacuated, those who have lost their homes, and everyone working to protect and support our communities.

Wherever you are at 12:30 p.m. today, you are invited to take a moment to join in prayer.

We encourage Members, families and community to come together and hold one another, our lands and all those affected by the fires in our thoughts and prayers.

limləmt to the Okanagan Nation Alliance for bringing our Nation together during this difficult time.

08/11/2026

Community Update: Bradley Creek Wildfire Evacuation Order Partial Rescinded August 10, 2026

Update as of 5:30pm, Aug. 10, 2026

Effective 1730 Hours (5:30pm), August 10, 2026, the Evacuation Order for an area of the K41351 Bradley Creek Wildland Fire has been RESCINDED.

The Evacuation Order Rescind is in effect for the following areas:

All of Willow Shore Rd, Willow Shore Cres, All of Head of the Lake Road, Bluebird Lane, Luke Paul Flats Road, 2 to 16 Irish Creek Road South, 89 Irish Creek Rd South

All Addresses from the Intersection of Hwy 97 and Westside Road up to and including 12415Westside Road, 11, 14 & 25 Antoine Road, 8, 13, 15 Celestine Road

These areas are within the area marked in green on the map. Residents in this area may return home.

Please see the attached map.

A WATER QUALITY ADVISORY REMAINS IN PLACE FOR ALL ADDRESSES ON THE OKIB WATER SYSTEM WITHIN THIS EVACUATION ORDER RESCIND AREA

A WQA can be for the general population or targeted to people who may be at higher risk. Water quality advisories include specific directions depending on the type of contamination.

The FNHA Advisory is attached

Please follow these instructions to better protect yourself:

➡️Run all cold-water taps for 5 to 10 minutes upon returning home to flush stagnant water from household plumbing.

➡️Discard any ice made prior to evacuation and clean ice-making equipment before use.

➡️Do not consume water that appears cloudy, discoloured, or has an unusual odour.

➡️Water can continue to be used for bathing, showering, handwashing, laundry, and other household purposes.

Residents returning home are reminded that this area has been affected by a significant wildfire. Conditions may look very different from when you left, and hazards may remain on individual properties and throughout the surrounding area.

Please use caution, follow any posted directions and do not enter damaged properties or areas that have been restricted.

Returning home after a wildfire

Residents returning to wildfire-affected areas should use caution. Even if your home was not directly damaged, smoke, soot, ash and other hazards may remain.

➡️Check your property before entering.

➡️Watch for structural damage, damaged trees, fallen power lines, sharp debris and other hazards.

➡️Do not enter a structure that appears unstable.

➡️Protect yourself during cleanup. Wear appropriate footwear, gloves and protective clothing. An N95 mask can help reduce exposure to ash, soot and fine particles.

➡️Replace your furnace and/or air conditioner filter. If outdoor air quality allows, open windows and use a fan to help circulate fresh air. Professional cleaning of ducts and air-conditioning systems may also be appropriate.

➡️Check food before using it. Refrigerated or frozen food may no longer be safe following an extended power outage. When in doubt, throw it out.

➡️Be careful with ash and soot. Wet wiping or mopping is preferred over dry dusting, and only vacuums equipped with a HEPA filter should be used for ash.

For information about safely returning to your home after a wildfire, please visit OKIB.ca to review the First Nations Health Authority Returning Home After a Wildfire information package.

https://fnha.ca/wp-content/uploads/migrated/Documents/FNHA-Returning-to-Your-Home-After-Wildfires.pdf

View the Evacuation Order Rescind on our website:
https://www.okib.ca/news/community-update-bradley-creek-wildfire-evacuation-order-partial-rescinded/

We also ask everyone returning to be mindful of their neighbours. Some homes and properties have been significantly damaged or lost, and families may be returning to very difficult circumstances.

Please respect private property, avoid entering or photographing damaged properties that are not your own, and give affected families the privacy and space they need.

Further updates will continue to be shared through OKIB’s official communication channels.

08/10/2026

Community Update: OKIB ESS Reception Centre Hours for this week - Aug 10th to 14th

Update as of 1:30pm August 10, 2026

way' Members,

OKIB ESS Reception centre is now at Creekside Conference Centre – 3310 37th Ave, Vernon. See the hours of operation below for the upcoming week:

· Creekside Conference Centre (Vernon Recreation Centre)
3310 37th Avenue, Vernon

Hours for the OKIB ESS Centre at Creekside Conference Centre for the rest of the week:

Monday, August 10 10am – 5pm
Tuesday, August 11 10am – 6pm
Wednesday, August 12 10am – 6pm
Thursday, August 13 10am – 4pm
Friday, August 14 10am - 4pm


·Evacuees may access Recreation Centre facilities at no charge by presenting their ESS registration number at the reception desk


Additional ESS Reception Centres remain available at:

·City of Vernon ESS – Kal Tire Place
3445 43rd Avenue, Vernon
9:00 Am to 3:00 Pm Daily

·Westbank Reception Centre – Westbank Lions Community Centre
2466 Main Street, West Kelowna

08/10/2026

Statement from Chief and Council Regarding the Bradley Creek Fire

Update as of 9:30pm, Aug. 9, 2026

way’ p snaqsilxʷ

It has been a difficult week for our community. Some of our people are beginning to return home, others are still waiting, and some families are facing the loss of their homes and a much longer road ahead.

way’ kʷu kʷukstp to everyone who has stepped up and supported our community.

We are deeply grateful to our Fire Department (Okanagan Indian Band Fire Rescue), the many people involved with OKIB ESS, staff and volunteers who have continued showing up for this community while experiencing this emergency alongside everyone else.

Many have worked long days supporting evacuees, protecting homes and land, coordinating services and responding wherever they were needed, all while carrying concerns for their own families, neighbours and community. We see that commitment, and we are incredibly thankful for it.

That same spirit of support has extended well beyond OKIB. Neighbouring communities, governments, organizations, businesses and individuals have opened their doors, provided meals and accommodation, cared for animals, donated supplies and asked what they could do to help.

We want to particularly thank the City of Vernon (City of Vernon - Local Government), Mayor and Council, City staff and Emergency Support Services for the tremendous support they have provided to our Members, residents and evacuees throughout this emergency.

To everyone who has stood with our community during this incredibly difficult time. Your support has meant more than we can adequately express.

But above all, we have seen our own people take care of one another. limləmt.

That will matter as much in the months ahead as it did during the first days of this fire.

Chief and Council are here, we are working together, and we are preparing for the long work ahead. This emergency has touched our families, our neighbours and the places we all know. There is a long road ahead, but it is our road. We will work through it together, as neighbours, families and community.

We will keep our people at the centre of every decision we make.

yilmixʷm Chief Dan Wilson and Council
Okanagan Indian Band

To read the full statement, visit OKIB.ca
https://www.okib.ca/news/statement-from-chief-and-council-regarding-the-bradley-creek-fire/

08/10/2026

Community Update: Some Bradley Creek Wildfire Evacuation Orders Remain in Effect

Update as of 8:00pm, Aug 9, 2026

While progress continues across the Bradley Creek Wildfire response and some residents are beginning to return home, Evacuation Orders remain in effect for some areas.

We know residents in these areas are waiting to return. The Orders remain in place because conditions are not yet ready for safe re-entry.

Some properties and areas still require damage and hazard assessments before access can safely resume. Hazards may include fire-damaged trees, unstable structures, damaged infrastructure, debris and other conditions resulting from the wildfire.

Assessments are continuing as areas become safe for crews to access.

Some properties are also serviced by the Bradley Creek water system, which remains under a Do Not Consume Notice. FNHA is conducting priority testing of the system to determine water quality and what steps will be required before the notice can be changed. Residents must continue following the Do Not Consume Notice until further direction is provided.

We recognize how difficult it is to remain away from home, particularly as other areas begin to reopen. Conditions and impacts are different throughout the community, and each area must be assessed based on the conditions that exist there.

The Evacuation Orders will continue to be reviewed as assessments are completed, hazards are addressed and more information becomes available about the water system. Our priority is to return residents home as soon as conditions allow for safe re-entry.

Further updates, including any changes to Evacuation Orders and Alerts, will be shared through OKIB’s official communication channels and OKIB.ca.

https://www.okib.ca/news/community-update-bradley-creek-wildfire-evacuation-orders-remain-in-effect/