Summerland is without power after its entire population was ordered to evacuate as the rapidly growing Bald Range wildfire threatens the community.
The district said shortly after 2:30 a.m. Saturday that power had been lost throughout Summerland because of the wildfire. Crews will work with first responders to restore electricity when it is safe to do so.
More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders across the Okanagan, including about 12,300 in Summerland and more than 5,100 because of the Quilpituk Creek wildfire on the west side of Okanagan Lake.
The regional estimate does not include people affected by new evacuation orders issued early Saturday around Peachland or other active orders in the North Okanagan.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said late Friday that evacuation orders covering 2,648 properties around the Quilpituk Creek wildfire would stay in place overnight. The fire was listed at 1,139 hectares.
The Summerland evacuation order was issued at 12:10 a.m. Saturday after the Bald Range wildfire grew rapidly Friday evening.
The district also declared a state of local emergency.
The evacuation area expanded north early Saturday when properties on Brenda Mine Road and in the Renfrew and Upper Princeton areas around Peachland were upgraded from an evacuation alert to an order. Residents were told to leave immediately.
Highway 97 is closed in both directions between Summerland and Peachland because of the wildfire, cutting the main north-south route through that section of the Okanagan.
No reopening time was available from DriveBC.
Explosive growth
The Bald Range wildfire was estimated at about 50 hectares early Friday evening before growing to about 1,000 hectares by 7:30 p.m. and 5,000 hectares by 9 p.m.
B.C. Wildfire Service classified the fire behaviour as rank 5, which can include an organized flame front, a fast rate of spread and moderate- to long-range spotting.
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen information officer Erick Thompson described the speed of the fire Friday as among the fastest he had encountered.
“We’ve dealt with major fires here before, but this, from what I can recall, is one of the quickest-moving, largest fires in such a short time. That is why information will be key. Do not rely on Facebook if you don’t know if the information is confirmed from official sources.”
About 55 people were airlifted from affected areas, including Faulder, after the fast-moving fire cut off road access Friday night.
Evacuation orders spread to campgrounds north and south of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park as conditions deteriorated.
Penticton officials said shortly after 1 a.m. that the fire was not threatening the city, which is receiving evacuees from Summerland.
“At the moment, there is no threat to Penticton, and that is why we have the reception centre set up here at the sports plex, and there is an overflow at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre,” communications manager Anna Melnick said.
Water system impact
The wildfire is also affecting Summerland’s water system.
The district issued a boil-water advisory after firefighting demands put significant strain on the system. The water treatment plant was bypassed to protect water flows needed to fight the fire, allowing untreated water into the system.
Reception centres for Summerland evacuees have been established at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power St.; 550 Eckhardt Ave. W. in Penticton; and Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main St. in West Kelowna.
Farther north, the Quilpituk Creek wildfire has forced thousands from properties along the west side of Okanagan Lake, with another 312 properties under evacuation alert.
Evacuation orders are in effect in parts of the North Okanagan because of the Bradley Creek wildfire, which has caused extensive damage in the Okanagan Indian Band community. Some orders on the east side of Okanagan Lake were downgraded Friday evening.
Residents across affected areas are being urged to follow directions from emergency officials and check their local emergency authority for current evacuation orders and alerts.
