Phased Re-entry for Residents of Summerland

Check the address lists to determine whether you are included in the phased re-entry

Before you make plans to return home, please confirm that your address falls within the current re-entry area — boundaries can change as conditions on the ground evolve, and not every part of the community may not be cleared for re-entry at the same time.

If you're unsure whether your property remains under an Evacuation Order, check the ADDRESS LISTS and map below for the following areas:

Summerland – EXCEPT the following properties:

• Mott Street: 11709 & 13420 
• Durick Avenue: 13221 & 13410 
• Blagborne Avenue: 12406 & 12407
• Cartwright Avenue: 13611 & 14605
• Garnet Avenue: 14806, 14810 & 14612/14614
• Denike Street: 14904
• Garnet Valley Road: 18420, 19008, 19154, 20245, 21207, 21603, 22797, 23411, 25600, 26405, 27006, 27218, 27413, 28000 & 28818
• Wildhorse Road: 25208/25210 & 25804/25808
• Bathville Road (Landfill): 18000 &17202 
• PID 012-634-336 (Landfill) 

Click on the map for a larger view:

Familiarize yourself with the Re-Entry Guide before returning to your property

This re-entry guide includes information on:

• Returning to your property
• Mental Health Support
• District of Summerland Utilities
• Food Safety
• Solid Waste
• Curbside Collection
• Wildlife Activity
• BC Transit Info

Please take the time to review the information provided before and during your return home. Conditions may have changed, and hazards may remain in some areas. 

Please see the following Re-Entry Guides: 

August 21, 2026 



August 20, 2026



August 18, 2026



August 16, 2026



August 14, 2026

Stay informed through the Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225 or eocinfo@rdos.bc.ca, or by signing up for VoyentAlert! here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should I expect the area to look like when I return?
The community may have changed dramatically: blackened or burnt trees and landscapes, the smell of smoke, areas covered in ash, familiar landmarks missing, and spoiled food in fridges and freezers. Some areas may be fenced for safety and security — please respect those restrictions and follow any directions from first responders or utility workers.

What if I have a utilities issue, such as water or sewer?
Contact Works at works@summerland.ca or 250-494-0431.

You can view the power outage timeline and outage history map here:
https://gis.summerland.ca/portal/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=611e09bb396b4f88b4aa186e939b7bca.
This interactive map provides information about power outages and their timelines within the District of Summerland.

Can I drink the tap water?
Visit our Water Quality and Advisories page to find out the current status and follow the recommendations provided by Interior Health.

What are the community supports available in Summerland?

 

Samaritan’s Purse temporarily set up at the baseball diamond and part of the adjacent parking lot at Powell Beach. The organization will be here for approximately five weeks to support people who lost their homes in the wildfire. Trained volunteers, equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment, will conduct ash sifting activities at destroyed home sites to help families recover important personal belongings and keepsakes.

If you lost your home in the wildfire and would like support from Samaritan’s Purse with ash sifting, please 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟏-𝟖𝟑𝟑-𝟕𝟑𝟖-𝟕𝟕𝟒𝟑 and leave a message.

Volunteers will first meet with families to understand which items they are hoping to find, and then work to locate and return those items to them.

All Samaritan’s Purse services are provided free of charge.
Ash Sifting Overview

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

Are there water restrictions I need to follow?

The District remains in Residential Stage 1 water restrictions. Click here for more information: https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/utilities/water/water-restrictions

What supplies should I bring, and how much food and water?
Bring enough bottled water and food to last 14 days, a full tank of gas, a charged cell phone or radio, and personal protective equipment (gloves, masks or respirators, safety glasses). Wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. For clean-up, pack a re-entry kit: flashlight, heavy-duty contractor garbage bags, cleaning supplies, small tools, a first aid kit, and a camera to document damage for insurance.

What hazards should I watch for around my property?
A burned property can look deceptively normal. Watch for slip, trip, and fall hazards from unstable structures and damaged trees; sharp objects like nails, broken glass, and metal; leaking household hazardous materials; smoke, soot, ash, and demolition dust; hot spots and ash pits; and pressurized or combustible containers. When in doubt, call a qualified professional rather than handling something yourself.

Is the food in my fridge and freezer still safe?
When in doubt, throw it out. Discard refrigerated food if the fridge rose above 4°C (39°F), or if you're unsure. Frozen food is likely safe unless the freezer lost power for an extended period or was exposed to heat or floodwater; food with visible ice crystals can be refrozen, though quality will drop. Toss canned goods that are bulging, badly dented, or rusted, and any food in glass jars that was exposed to heat. 

What should I do if my appliances failed?
Check the food-safety and refrigerator/freezer guidance in this info package and on the Interior Health website first. If an appliance is no longer operating, contact your insurance provider to see whether the unit and related costs are covered. Photograph any damage and keep notes of your insurance conversations. Whether or not the appliance still runs, keep a record of any cleaning, repairs, or work done in case a claim is needed later.

What to do with waste while Summerland Landfill closed?
Visit our Landfill Webpage to find out the current status and hours or operation. 

My fridge or freezer was damaged — what do I do with it?
There's currently no collection program for wildfire-damaged units, so remove all spoiled food, dispose of it as garbage, and hold onto the empty appliance for now. Once the Summerland Landfill reopens, damaged units can be dropped off at no charge — but all food waste must be removed first.

You may also visit marrbc.ca for other drop-off locations.
Please note that to recycle a refrigeration unit all food waste must be completely removed from the appliance before it can be accepted.

How is garbage being collected right now?
Temporary curbside collection calendar is now available online and at Municipal Hall and Public Works once access to these facilities is permitted.

Why is there more bear activity, and what should I do?
Disposing of large amounts of spoiled food, combined with late-summer hyperphagia (when bears aggressively seek out food), may increase bear activity across Summerland. Keep all food waste securely contained indoors or in a locked, bear-resistant area until collection. Food-conditioned bears can become a public safety risk, and garbage can also seriously harm the bears.

Can I fill my pool or drain water from it?
Drain pools slowly, and never into the sanitary sewer or in a way that overloads storm drainage. Water containing chlorine or salt cannot be drained into a creek or Okanagan Lake. If you're on community water, refilling must be scheduled in advance so the system can handle the extra demand.

Can I use the parks and trails in the area?
Yes, but you must stay out of any Evacuation Order zones. Watch for updated notices as conditions change.

Are the landfill and local businesses open?
The Summerland Landfill & Recycling Depot are closed until further notice. Please check directly with local businesses for current operating hours. Check the RDOS and District's website regularly for updates.

Is it safe to swim in Okanagan Lake?
Please refer to Interior Health website: https://services.interiorhealth.ca/publichealthprotection/waternotifications.aspx 

Should I be concerned about air quality in the Summerland area, especially since there is a fire at the landfill?

Exposure to smoke from both wildfires and landfill fires can affect health.  Based on information available at this time, the fire is affecting areas of the landfill containing organic materials. The smoke from this fire would be similar in nature to that of the wildfire smoke already present in the area.  Air quality impacts from wildfire smoke and other combustion sources can vary depending on weather conditions, fire behaviour, and local smoke concentrations.

Air quality monitoring and public advisories are managed by the Province of British Columbia through its air quality monitoring network.  People who are more likely to experience severe and long-lasting impacts are those with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, pregnant people, infants and young children and the elderly.  Check local air quality (AQHI or Aqmap) frequently to adjust your activities. 

When air quality is affected by smoke, keeping the indoor environment as smoke-free as possible is the best way to protect health.

• Close windows and doors if possible to do so without overheating.
• Run portable air cleaners, DIY air cleaners or other air filtration systems to clean out any smoke that gets indoors. Focus on keeping the air in at least one room clean if it’s not possible to clean the air in the whole home.
• Spend time in public spaces, such as libraries and shopping malls where air tends to be cleaner and cooler
• Reduce time spent outdoors and avoid strenuous activities. The harder you breathe, the more particles you inhale.
• If you must be outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitted N95 or equivalent respirator to filter out smoke.
• Monitor symptoms of people in your care and yourself, seek prompt medication attention if severe symptoms occur, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe cough, dizziness and heart palpitations.

The Ministry of Environment and Parks and BC Wildfire Service are coordinating to review localized smoke forecasting information for the area. Additional information will be shared if conditions change.

Where can I find 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

         


BC Wildfire Service Information About Retardant & Suppressants

RETARDANT

Type of retardant used:

• The BC Wildfire Service currently uses Phos-Chek LC-95A.
• The liquid concentrate is delivered to our airtanker bases and mixed with water at a ratio of 5.5 parts water to 1 part LC-95A before it gets loaded into an airtanker. 
• Perimeter Solutions is the company that provides the retardant. Further information is attached to this email from Perimeter Solutions - an information sheet and toxicological and environmental safety sheet.

How BC Wildfire Service uses retardant:

• Fire retardants are used to support ground crews in containing a fire by reducing the fire intensity and slowing the rate of spread. 
• Retardants are water-soluble and contain ammonium salts that affect the burning process of forest fuels. When flames come into contact with retardant, the resulting reaction releases a combination of water and carbon dioxide that helps cool and suffocate the fire.
• Water-soluble fire retardants are commonly used in fire suppression because of their long-lasting effect on fires. Retardant is effective after it is dry and for as long as it remains on the fuels. Retardant has a much longer-lasting effect than water in fire suppression because it does not evaporate.
• Retardant can be applied adjacent to, or ahead of, an advancing wildfire by: 
• Airtankers with tanks that can drop retardant  
• Helicopters equipped with buckets that dip out of a large retardant tank
• Ground crews from bladders using pumps and hoses

Environmental considerations:

• The BC Wildfire Service prioritizes the protection of areas with high environmental values, such as community watersheds or habitats for species at risk. It is our policy not to release or drop fire retardant where it can enter a body of water.
• Nearly 90% of the retardant solution is water. The main active ingredient in the retardant utilized by the BC Wildfire Service is ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer. Fire retardants also contain small quantities of performance additives, including the use of iron oxide (rust) to colour the retardant mixture red to increase its visibility for air crews and ground personnel.
• The actual retardant components that are present in the solution are eventually consumed by plant life and provide nutrients to the plants. The gum thickener and other inorganic compounds are biodegradable and will break down via other means in the environment. 
• Retardant and foam products used in B.C. are evaluated by the USDA National Technology and Development Program and must appear on their Qualified Product List. Among other testing, they are evaluated for mammalian and fish toxicity before being approved. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/fire/wfcs/wildland-fire-chemicals.php

Cleaning/removing wildland fire retardant products from surfaces:

• The following are suggestions for cleaning surfaces, such as buildings, homes and vehicles that have been coated with wildland fire retardant products:
• Start cleaning as soon as safety permits. The longer the retardant dries, the more difficult it is to remove completely.
• For smaller and/or more sensitive surfaces, the use of warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush or cloth followed by a clean water rinse is recommended. A presoak can also be helpful in softening the dried on material before brushing off.
• For larger surfaces, pressure washers have been used very effectively. Caution should be observed when using pressure washers on porous surfaces (e.g. stucco) - minimize the power of the spray so as not to loosen the stucco or drive retardant particles deeper into the surface.
• Each type of surface will have different characteristics and may be more or less difficult to clean. Surfaces that are porous such as concrete, stucco and stone are often more difficult to clean. Smooth surfaces like glass, metal and hard plastic are often easier to clean.
• Applied fire retardants do not pose a significant risk to humans, pets, wildlife, aquatic life or plant life. Wet retardant and runoff may be slippery, exercise caution when walking in it. Runoff from cleaning operations will often retain a significant red colour. Avoid draining into ditches or streams that run into natural waterways. Check with your local authorities for preferred methods.

SUPPRESSANTS

Background on suppressants and their use:

• Suppressants are water, with or without additives, and can cool the fire environment to reduce fire behaviour. They are not used to put out fires, but rather to cool them and slow their progress. Additives to water are essentially water modifiers (thickeners or foaming agents) which permit a thicker layer of water to coat the fuel, thereby increasing the time and energy required to vaporize the water. Surfactants in foam break down the surface tension of water droplets allowing the water to better penetrate the fuel. Once these products have evaporated, suppressant action ends.
• Suppressants are used to suppress or extinguish wildfires. They can be applied by ground crews using water bags, tanks, pumps and hoses, or by helicopters equipped with buckets or belly tanks. From time to time as deemed appropriate, water scooping aircraft (known as skimmers) are utilized and may be deployed anywhere in the province. These aircraft may come from companies in B.C., or from other jurisdictions through mutual aid agreements and are capable of injecting additives if needed.

Foam Mixtures

• Foam is dropped from the air by skimmers or land-based airtankers and usually extends over a wide area to help reduce the spread of the fire.  
• Foam is water with an additive similar to dish soap and is applied to fires to slow their growth. Its composition will absorb heat from combustion through evaporation while its bubble structure slowly releases water to be absorbed by wood fuels. Foam improves the effectiveness of water in two ways: it helps the water soak deeper and quicker into forest fuels and slows down the evaporation of the water within them.
• Depending on the ratio of water to foam concentrate, the resulting mixture is either a “dry” or “wet” foam. Dry foams have smaller, high-insulation bubbles that offer greater heat absorption, while wet foams have larger bubbles that allow water to penetrate forest fuels more easily. Wet foams are generally considered to be more effective fire suppressants because dry foams are difficult to apply effectively (often getting caught in wind currents or tree canopies).

Type of foam used by BCWS:

• PHOS-CHEK WD881
• This is a "Class A” foam used for vegetative fires and may differ from the foam products used for non-vegetative fires.
• The Province follows the applicable regulation set out by the Ministry of Environment and Parks and the manufacturers' safety data sheet.

Perimeter Solutions retardant toxicological-and-environmental-safety-q-a 1
Perimeter solutions retardant_fact_sheet 1