After enduring over a week of tension and worry, the majority of Summerland, B.C., residents can now return to their homes. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief, stating that the community of more than 12,000 had to evacuate due to the rapid spread of the Bald Range wildfire, which tragically resulted in the death of an 80-year-old woman.

According to Holmes, the evacuation order for 3,380 properties was lifted at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the town. Efforts are underway to restore access to the remaining areas of Summerland in the coming days, as mentioned in a briefing by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Graham Statt, the chief administrative officer of the District of Summerland, mentioned ongoing geotechnical and power restoration work to expedite the process. Statt expressed optimism, aiming to lift the evacuation order for the rest of the community by Thursday.

While a smaller number of properties had evacuation orders lifted over the weekend, some residents shared their relief upon returning home. Jan Schumacher and Cory Lee Myers recounted their fears of losing their homes during the wildfire but were grateful to find their properties intact with minimal damage.

Summerland’s fire chief, Rob Robinson, highlighted the challenges faced during the wildfire, praising the efforts of firefighters in saving the downtown core despite some homes being lost. Currently, 530 properties in Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley, and Meadow Valley remain under evacuation orders, while the rest of Summerland is on evacuation alert.

Mayor Holmes emphasized the importance of safety measures, mentioning ongoing slope stability assessments in certain areas and the need for power restoration in Garnet Valley. Despite the challenges, the community is gradually recovering from the wildfire’s impact.

While the fire remains classified as out of control, firefighters have made progress in containing it on the southern and eastern flanks. Efforts are now focused on the fire’s west side, where it continues to exhibit aggressive behavior, requiring continued vigilance.

Additionally, the community faces challenges such as a boil water advisory due to the water treatment plant being offline and a landfill fire necessitating waste transportation to a regional facility. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen reported damage to approximately 150 structures, with social workers and counselors supporting those affected.

Residents are encouraged to remain prepared for any developments, as the community works towards full recovery and restoration post-wildfire.