'Hearts are heavy': Popular B.C. resort closes due to major wildfire
The battle against wildfires burning across B.C. continues, and an award-winning resort in the central Okanagan has been forced to close due to an out-of-control blaze in the region.
In an update posted on Monday, Aug. 10, the Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa (SWR) announced that while power has been restored and the hotel remains standing, it is remaining closed until further notice.
This is due to the Bald Range wildfire, which has grown to more than 15,000 hectares in size. There are 11 evacuation orders and seven evacuation alerts in place impacting thousands of residents.
BCWS
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“Our hearts are heavy, and thoughts are with everyone impacted by the wildfire and with our entire Summerland community,” said SWR in an earlier update.
“We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters, first responders and emergency personnel working tirelessly to protect Summerland and our community. Thank you for everything you are doing.”
The Bald Range wildfire was reported on Friday, Aug. 7, originating about 15 km west of Summerland.
Just one day later, the Regional Districts of Okanagan-Similkameen and Central Okanagan, the District of Summerland, and Penticton Indian Band issued a BC Emergency Alert, ordering residents to evacuate.
BCWS
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) published its provincial situation report on B.C. wildfires, without much good news.
“We are expecting a high potential for lightning-caused wildfire starts, particularly in the central Interior and the Okanagan, which are receiving limited precipitation and dry lightning,” said the BCWS.
“Elevated temperatures and heightened wind gusts will continue to linger in the Okanagan and southeastern regions of B.C., which can increase fire behaviour.”
BCWS
SWR added that while its team members are accounted for, some have lost their homes in the wildfires.
“Our team members are currently with their families and loved ones, attending to their own safety and well-being,” said the resort in an update. “We will do everything we can to care for them and their families.
“Summerland and Faulder are filled with resilient people. We will come together. We will care for one another. We will clean up and rebuild.”
SWR, which was recognized as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Winner in June, also shared a tribute to the crews helping residents evacuate and working on extinguishing the wildfires.
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“The true heroes of these past few days are the firefighters, first responders, RCMP, District of Summerland teams, machine operators, analysts and the many people working behind the scenes. There are too many to name,” posted the B.C. resort.
“While the rest of us drove away from the danger, they drove toward it. Thank you for taking on this fire and saving everything you possibly could.”
There are currently 102 wildfires burning in B.C. at the time of publication, with four started in the last 24 hours.
The BCWS also stated that “everyone in B.C. has a role to play in preparedness.”
Even if there isn’t a wildfire currently affecting your community, it advises all B.C. residents to prepare for one by registering for emergency notifications from your local government, having an evacuation plan, following the emergency wildfire preparedness checklist, and staying informed using trusted sources (such as the BCWS, DriveBC, and EmergencyInfoBC).