A message from Mayor and Council:
I’m very pleased to share that at 6:00 p.m. today, all evacuation orders for properties in Peachland will be downgraded to evacuation alerts. This means residents can begin returning home this evening. Highway 97 between Penticton and Peachland will be closed between 7 pm and 7 am.
This is an important and very welcome step forward for our community. I know many families have been waiting anxiously for the opportunity to return home.
As you return home, please follow the directions of RCMP and traffic control personnel. Traffic control crews will be present at various locations throughout Peachland and along Highway 97 South. For everyone’s safety, please follow traffic-control signs and posted speed limits.
The Bald Range Wildfire remains active, so the evacuation alert remains in effect. If you are under an evacuation alert, please be prepared to leave immediately should conditions change.
Please continue to monitor official information at coemergency.ca and follow Central Okanagan Emergency Management for updates.
A few important things to remember when returning; if your home has been without power or refrigeration, please follow current health guidance on cleaning and sanitizing refrigerators and freezers before using them.
For the latest information regarding your water service, including any Boil Water Notices, please check the Central Okanagan water advisory information.
Please also be mindful that wildfire smoke, ash, soot and debris can create health hazards during cleanup. Consider having appropriate protective equipment available, including work gloves, an N95 or equivalent mask, and safety glasses or goggles.
It is also a good idea to have essential supplies available, including drinking water, food, medications, pet supplies, phone chargers, flashlights and batteries, and some cash in case payment systems are temporarily unavailable.
A heartfelt thank you, I want to express my sincere gratitude to BC Wildfire Service and all of the firefighters who continue to work on the fire, as well as RCMP, traffic control crews, emergency responders, the Emergency Operations Centre, Central Okanagan Emergency Management, municipal staff, volunteers and all of the agencies and individuals who have worked tirelessly to protect our community. Your dedication, professionalism and long hours have made a tremendous difference.
And to the people of Peachland — thank you. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, strength and the way you have supported one another throughout this difficult time.
Tonight, many of you will finally be able to return home.
Welcome home, Peachland.
Please stay vigilant, look out for your neighbours, follow official directions and remember that conditions can change quickly.
We are not completely out of the woods yet — but this is a very positive step forward.
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel and Peachland Council
Get the latest information on the Bald Range Wildfire at Bald Range Wildfire - K51490 | Central Okanagan Emergency Operations