Officials say temporary access permits that would allow people to briefly return to evacuation zones in Summerland, B.C., for specific reasons are under review. Summerland residents were forced from their homes on Friday as the Bald Range fire exploded in size, burning through the areas of Faulder and Meadow Valley on its way toward Okanagan Lake. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said it has received a high volume of temporary access permit requests and has asked those who have already applied to refrain from applying again. In a statement, the district explained these permits are “reviewed for emergency circumstances only.” Among those return circumstances are livestock welfare, critical infrastructure, life safety considerations, and commercial fruit-growing and farming operations. This district said it will now consider access permits for reasons like lawn maintenance, property appearance concerns, medication, or personal pets, “unless there are exceptional life-safety or animal welfare circumstances.” “Please do not wait at a checkpoint for your application to be processed. Checkpoints must remain clear and accessible for emergency responders,” the district added, noting those without approved permits will be denied entry and turned around.
