Highway 97, which was shut down due to the wildfire between Peachland and the Pyramid Picnic Area in Kickininee Provincial Park, has now reopened with limited hours, as confirmed by DriveBC on Thursday. The updated schedule allows traffic between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. PT daily, strictly for through-route passage without any stopping or exiting permitted. DriveBC emphasizes that the reopening is contingent on the fire’s behavior and the evolving needs of the BC Wildfire Service crew.
Meanwhile, Highway 1 north of Hope and Highway 97 north of Cache Creek remain closed. The northeastern sector of the Ainslie Creek wildfire, spanning approximately 616 square kilometers near Boston Bar, is currently near Highway 8. Firefighters will be present in the area around the clock to safeguard the highway, which traverses Merritt, and protect nearby structures within the Nooaitch Indian Band reserve.
In terms of evacuations, approximately 18,900 individuals are under evacuation orders, with around 10,000 more on evacuation alert across British Columbia. Encouraging news for some evacuees emerges as the Quilpituk Creek wildfire status has shifted from “out of control” to “being held,” prompting the Regional District of Central Okanagan to advise residents who evacuated on August 2 to prepare for potential return.
As of Thursday, over 100 wildfires are active in British Columbia, primarily concentrated in the southern region. The largest among these blazes is the Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton, covering an extensive area of 1,568 square kilometers. Despite ongoing evacuation orders for the wildfire north of Kelowna, the BC Wildfire Service anticipates cooler weather conditions and higher humidity levels on Thursday and Friday.
The Bald Range wildfire near Summerland has rapidly expanded to an estimated 191 square kilometers overnight, according to the latest figures from the BC Wildfire Service. While significant property damage has been reported by evacuees and officials, an official assessment is pending. Premier David Eby highlighted the unprecedented growth rate of the fire, surpassing previous modeling expectations, signaling a potential shift in fire speed dynamics in British Columbia. The Premier announced a review of emergency response strategies to address the challenges faced during the sudden surge of evacuations.
Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel stressed the importance of Indigenous involvement in fire prevention strategies to combat the underlying causes of wildfires. The escalating fire risk in Squamish has prompted the district to restrict vehicle access to the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary via Bailey Street, a popular recreational area for walking, biking, and RV enthusiasts. Fire officials in the Sea-to-Sky region are on high alert, responding to illegal campfires and enforcing a ban on recreational off-road vehicle use on Crown land to mitigate fire risks.