Bradley Creek wildfire now being held as evacuation orders ease
Stock image of wildfires.
OKANAGAN — The Bradley Creek wildfire is now classified as Being Held, marking a significant improvement in the North Okanagan fire response as evacuation restrictions begin to ease in some affected communities.
The City of Vernon announced the change Sunday, Aug. 9. Its Emergency Operations Centre remains active and continues to coordinate with BC Wildfire Service and regional emergency-response partners while providing support to residents and neighbouring communities affected by wildfire.
A Being Held classification means a wildfire is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and available resources, to remain within its current perimeter, control line or boundary, according to BC Wildfire Service. It is an improvement from the fire's earlier Out of Control status, but does not mean the fire is extinguished.
Evacuation restrictions have also begun to ease in areas affected by the Bradley Creek wildfire.
The Okanagan Indian Band announced Sunday evening that an evacuation order for one area had been rescinded effective at 7:30 p.m. A separate evacuation-order area was downgraded to an evacuation alert at the same time.
Residents in the area downgraded to an alert were permitted to return home, although OKIB cautioned that conditions can change and residents should remain prepared to leave again on short notice if conditions worsen.
OKIB said the area being reopened under an evacuation alert is served by an independent water system and is not connected to the Bradley Creek water system currently under a Do Not Consume Notice.
Other evacuation orders remained in effect on OKIB lands Sunday night. The band said some properties and areas still require damage and hazard assessments before access can safely resume. Potential hazards include fire-damaged trees, unstable structures, damaged infrastructure and wildfire debris.
Some of those properties are served by the Bradley Creek water system, which remains under a Do Not Consume Notice. The First Nations Health Authority is conducting priority testing to determine the water quality and what steps will be required before the notice can be changed, according to OKIB.
The broader OKIB water advisory, issued Aug. 3, covers the Six Mile, Bradley Creek, Irish Creek and Head of the Lake Community Water System, as well as the 59 Antoine Road Community Water System. Under the advisory, tap water is not safe to consume and boiling it does not make it safe.
Evacuation restrictions have also eased in Spallumcheen.
At 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, the township announced that all areas previously under evacuation order had been downgraded to evacuation alert. Areas that had previously been under evacuation alert had those alerts rescinded.
Vernon, meanwhile, continues to provide emergency services for people displaced by wildfire.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre at Kal Tire Place remains available to assist evacuees. Group lodging is operating at the curling rink in the Vernon Recreation Centre for people who require temporary shelter.
Evacuees with an ESS referral number can also access the Vernon Recreation Centre pool and available drop-in programs free of charge.
Despite the improving conditions, Vernon officials cautioned Sunday that wildfire risk remains elevated across the region and conditions can change quickly.
The Bradley Creek wildfire remains an active incident while emergency agencies continue response and recovery work across affected areas.
Penticton is taking steps to preserve space for incoming wildfire evacuees as expanding Bald Range evacuation orders continue to put pressure on emergency support services in the city.