Anotherevacuation order due to the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland has been downgraded, allowing a number of residents to return home. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen posted an update Thursday afternoon, saying that all Summerland residents may return, with the exception of several properties. The RDOS has the full list of properties still under evacuation order up on its website. The areas that have been downgraded are still under an evacuation alert, and residents are being reminded that conditions can change rapidly. They should still be prepared to leave again on a moment’s notice. There are approximately 110 damaged or destroyed structures in Electoral Area F, around 40 in the District of Summerland. The RDOS is also reminding returning residents that a “boil water notice” remains in effect for the entire community. The Bald Range wildfire increased in size by around 1,400 hectares on Thursday. Its approximate total size has grown to 24,096 hectares since it was discovered on Aug. 7. BC Wildfire Service is also still looking for information regarding critical fire suppression equipment that was stolen from the Summerland area earlier this week. Anyone with information on the stolen equipment is being asked to contact RCMP.
