BALD RANGE WILDFIRE RECOVERY

Important update for impacted residents

October 19, 2026

This update is part of ongoing efforts by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to support residents who were impacted by the wildfire, providing resources and information about recovery activities and programs, now and into the future.

One-on-one support from Samaritan’s Purse

The RDOS and the District of Summerland are partnering with Samaritan's Purse Canada to provide free, one-on-one recovery support for people impacted by the wildfire. Click here or view the attached document for more information.

A trained Recovery Specialist can help you:

• Find temporary housing
• Understand the rebuilding process
• Navigate insurance claims and paperwork
• Access financial assistance programs
• Complete applications and forms
• Connect with available services and resources
• Create a personalized recovery plan based on your needs

Contact Samaritan’s Purse Canada:

Email: recovery@samaritan.ca

Samaritan’s Purse Recovery Specialists:

Kelly Dixon 403-614-8848, Kandy White 236-622-2000

Debris cleanup – help us understand your needs

The RDOS and the District of Summerland are working together to plan continued debris cleanup support for properties impacted by the wildfire.

If your property has wildfire debris, we want to hear from you. Every property is different, and hearing from property owners will help us understand cleanup needs.

Email debrismanager@summerland.ca or call 236-915-2002 to have a conversation about the impact on your property. If you know someone whose property was impacted, please share this with them.

Why is this important?

Debris from burned structures can pose environmental and health risks, including contamination of nearby properties and waterways. With winter approaching, it's important to understand cleanup needs as soon as possible.

With funding from the Province of British Columbia, the RDOS, and Summerland will use information gathered from property owners to create a disaster debris management plan and explore cleanup assistance programs with funding partners, including charitable organizations.

Stay connected and access resources

For recovery information, resources, and other community supports, please visit the Faulder and Meadow Valley Wildfire Recovery project page on the RDOS Regional Connections interactive website at rdosregionalconnections.ca.

RDOS Regional Connections Faulder and Meadow Valley Wildfire Recovery project page:

https://rdosregionalconnections.ca/faulder-and-meadow-valley-recovery

Visit the in-person Recovery Centre Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Giant's Head Elementary School, 10503 Prairie Valley Road. Days and hours of operation may vary; please check the website before visiting or call 250-863-2946.

Questions or need support? Contact baldrangerecovery@rdos.bc.ca.

Contacts:

RDOS Communications

250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737

Residents may notice white/green, yellow, or red placards on buildings assessed following the wildfire.

These placards help identify whether a building can be used without restrictions, requires restricted access, or is unsafe to enter.

Learn what each placard means and what additional assessments may still be needed.

White/Green – Inspected / No Restrictions

The building has been inspected by an authorized PDBA team, and no restrictions on entry or use were identified through the assessment.

Additional inspections or assessments may still be required to identify repairs, maintenance needs, or requirements to fully restore the building to normal operation.

Yellow – Restricted Use

The building has been inspected, and entry or use is restricted.

Restrictions may apply to specific areas of the building or to certain building systems. Further action, stabilization, repairs, or more detailed assessments may be required before full use can resume.

Red – Unsafe

The building has been inspected and determined to be unsafe for entry or use based on conditions identified during the assessment.

This may be due to damage to the building itself or external hazards that affect the safety of the property.

A PDBA placard communicates the outcome of a specific post-disaster assessment. It should not be interpreted as confirmation that every aspect of a building or property has been fully assessed, that the property complies with the BC Building Code, or that no further professional assessments or repairs are required.

Depending on the circumstances and the scope of the assessment, additional structural, geotechnical, environmental, engineering, or other specialized evaluations may be necessary.

Importantly, a White/Green placard means that no restrictions on entry or use were identified through the PDBA assessment. It does not mean that all potential post-disaster hazards have been assessed or that the property has received a comprehensive clearance.

Property owners should continue to work with their insurance providers, qualified contractors, engineers, and other professionals, as appropriate, to determine whether additional inspections or repairs are required.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) - Reception Centre Closure

The ESS Reception Centre in Penticton closed on August 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Residents requiring assistance can continue to contact ESS:

• BC Evacuee Helpline 1-800-387-4258 (7:30 am to 5:00 pm daily)
• 250-486-1890 (10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily)

Giant’s Head School, 1053 Prairie Valley Road, Summerland
Hours of operation: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Effective Friday, September 25, ESS will be present in the Recovery Centre on Fridays.

The contact number will be 250-486-1890 for requests outside of regular hours.

Residential services were heavily impacted by the Bald Range Wildfire, including the loss of remote communication and the reservoir running dry.

Community wells, the pumphouse, treatment plant, generators and reservoir sustained minimal damage, but power lines, trees, and telecommunication lines were severely impacted.

Sampling stations and hydrants are being repaired, and power has been restored to the treatment plant. More information will be provided once confirmed.

Faulder Water System: The RDOS, in consultation with the Interior Health Authority (IHA), has issued a DO NOT CONSUME order effective immediately (Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026).

Click here to view the DO NOT CONSUME order.

The Faulder Water System operations team has completed full pressurization and flushing of the distribution system.

Residents with homes remaining have service access restored. For residents who are interested in temporary water service access, please contact RDOS Utilities to request a turn-on: utilities@rdos.bc.ca or 250-490-4135.

Access restrictions and safety concerns remain in place in the Faulder area. Significant hazards, including danger trees and slope stability issues, present a life-safety risk along trails and backroads.

Security checkpoints and roaming patrols are in place at all hours. Any unauthorized access will be recorded and reported to the RCMP.

The RDOS continues to manage access through a Prohibit Entry Order for designated properties in Faulder, South Meadow Valley, and Callan Road. Access remains limited to authorized property owners and approved individuals displaying a valid Access Permit.

The Princeton-Summerland Road remains closed to through traffic except for residents, permit holders, and authorized crews supporting recovery efforts.

Residents of the Chain Lake and Osprey Lake areas may use Princeton-Summerland Road to travel to and from their properties. This access is intended to allow residents to reach services in Penticton and Summerland, including medical appointments and other essential needs.

Residents must carry and present a valid access pass or proof of residency when travelling through security checkpoints.

If you are not authorized to enter the area, please use alternate routes and recreation areas.

Please respect access restrictions and the residents affected by the wildfire.