Bald Range Wildfire - Recovery

Support and information continue to be available for residents as our community moves through the recovery process.

The Recovery Centre is open during the following hours:

📅 Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
📅 Saturday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm

 For more information about Samaritan’s Purse: www.samaritanspurse.ca

Mental health supports

Returning home after an evacuation can bring a wide range of emotions. You may feel relief to be home, while also experiencing anxiety, sadness, anger, or uncertainty about what you will find. You may also find yourself worrying about the possibility of having to evacuate again. Seeing damage to your property or treasured possessions can be especially upsetting, particularly if they have sentimental value or cannot be replaced.

These reactions are a normal response to a stressful event and, for most people, become less intense as you regain a sense of safety, routine, and control. One of the best things you can do is create a support network. This may include family, friends, neighbours, or professionals. If these feelings become overwhelming or do not improve over time, consider reaching out to available support.

Interior Crisis Line Network - 1-888-353-2273
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 988
KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line - 1-800-588-8717
Métis Crisis Line - 1-833-638-4722
Call 310-MHSU (6478) to reach your local Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Centre
United Way - 2-1-1 (free and confidential phone line service that connects people to resources, including food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal & financial support, support for seniors, and more).
Canadian Mental Health Association: bc.cmha.ca/documents/coping-with-disaster-stress/First Nations Health Authority: fnha.ca/services-and-support/access-and-support/climate-emergencies/wildfire-response/
Canadian Red Cross: www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/get-help-disaster-relief-and-recovery/wildfire-information-and-support

Other resources:

Returning Home After an Evacuation
Returning To Your Home After Wildfires
When You Have Lost Your Home And Possessions
BC Wildfire Recovery for Agriculture: Where to start
Children, Youth, and Family Mental Health Supports
Re-entry and recovery guidance for agricultural operations - AF 2026

         

The Province has introduced an interim approach to help wildfire-affected property owners proceed with essential cleanup activities in riparian areas.

If your property is located near a lake, stream, wetland or other waterbody protected under the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR), you may proceed with wildfire cleanup activities related to contamination and public safety without a RAPR assessment or submission, provided reasonable measures are taken to minimize impacts to fish habitat, water quality and riparian areas.

This includes:

• Removing burned building materials and wildfire debris
• Removing contaminated soil and ash
• Removing danger trees that pose a public safety risk

Property owners and contractors should take reasonable measures to protect riparian vegetation and soils, prevent erosion and sediment from entering watercourses, and properly manage waste materials.

This interim approach is in place until amendments to the RAPR come into force in January 2027. The amendments will provide additional pathways for wildfire recovery activities, including reconstruction of wildfire-damaged primary residences.

For questions about wildfire cleanup activities in riparian areas, contact Mya.Eastmure@gov.bc.ca.

Learn more: B.C. Guidance for Property Impacted by Wildfire Contaminants

Contact Works at works@summerland.ca or 250-494-0431.
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