B.C. declares provincial emergency as out-of-control Bald Range wildfire grows to over 10 000 ha (25 000 acres)

British Columbia declared a State of Provincial Emergency on August 8 after the rapidly expanding Bald Range wildfire pushed into the Summerland area and forced large-scale evacuations across the South Okanagan.

By August 9, BC Wildfire Service reported that the Bald Range Fire has burned approximately 10 341 ha (25 552 acres) fire, classifying it as a Wildfire of Note and Out of Control. At least five Evacuation Orders and four Evacuation Alerts hasve been issued due to the incident.

The Bald Range wildfire (K51490) expanded rapidly after it was first reported during the evening of August 7, as strengthening winds pushed the fire toward Summerland and communities in surrounding valleys in British Columbia’s South Okanagan.

Multiple homes and structures have been destroyed, however, the exact numbers are yet to be determined. The five Evacuation Orders were issued by snpink’tn Indian Band, the District of Peachland, the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the District of Summerland and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Four Evacuation Alerts were also listed, issued by snpink’tn Indian Band, the District of Peachland, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Kelly Greene, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, declared the State of Provincial Emergency on August 8. The Office of the Premier said the addition of the fast-moving Bald Range fire and the large-scale overnight evacuation created a need for emergency powers to be available to officials at short notice.

By 21:30 PDT on August 8 (04:30 UTC on August 9), the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) reported 416 properties under Evacuation Order and 1 100 under Evacuation Alert within its jurisdiction.

All 5 688 properties in the District of Summerland were under Evacuation Order, while snpink’tn Indian Band; identified as Penticton Indian Band reported 38 properties under order and 1 082 under alert.

Greater West Bench–including Husula Highlands, Sage Mesa, West Bench and Westwood properties–as well as Kickininee Park, Brent Lake, the Shingle Creek area and Farleigh Lake Road were alsi under Evacuation Alert.

Reception centres were operating in Penticton, West Kelowna and Chilliwack, and RDOS directed evacuees not to use forest service roads except Forest Service Road 201 between Penticton and Kelowna.

References:

¹ Bald Range – BC Wildfires – August 9, 2026

² Current emergencies in B.C. – Emergency Info BC – Accessed on August 9, 2026