Thousands of B.C. fire evacuees allowed home, but Summerland orders remain in place

The BC Wildfire Service said there was a surge in activity from that fire west of Summerland, boosted by clearer skies and swirling winds on Thursday.

The service said the fire that has claimed one life has been showing up to rank-four behaviour, including surface fire, torching and “passive crown fire” in trees.

The Bald Range fire forced the entire evacuation of Summerland, population 12,000, as well as surrounding communities last weekend after it exploded in size and roared west.

It now measures about 190 square kilometres.

B.C. Premier David Eby told an unrelated news conference on Friday that the province was continuing talks with the federal government on how they can best assist the province in the fire fight.

He noted the first request B.C. made after it declared a provincial state of emergency on Saturday was for more accommodation to be made available. He said military barracks were offered, but were not needed.

“The requests of the federal government are really currently in the spirit of the emergency moment, making sure that our wildland firefighters — that they have all the resources they need and if they feel that the military could provide support to them, that the federal government is ready to go to assist us,” he said.

The premier said the province is expecting “another significant fire” this season, and it continued to work with the federal government to ensure there are accommodations made available for evacuees.

Eby said Summerland’s water supply had “taken a significant hit” and the province planned to sit down with local leaders to understand the scale of what was needed, including from the federal government.

“It’s just at this point, while we’re still in the middle of the emergency, our conversations with the federal government are about those emergency logistics right now.”

Rogers Communications meanwhile said it had opened up satellite phone and data services to its wireless customers across British Columbia in a bid to keep residents connected during wildfire season.

It said technology that was typically only offered in areas without traditional cell coverage added a “layer of connectivity where it’s needed.”

The company said opening access to satellite mobile service boosted safety for residents when cell towers may be damaged by wildfires.

There are about 110 fires burning across B.C., with about 50 out of control.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Thousands of B.C. fire evacuees allowed home, but Summerland orders remain in place

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