After enduring over a week of tension and worry, the majority of Summerland, B.C. residents can now return to their homes. Mayor Doug Holmes expressed relief, calling it long-awaited news for the community of over 12,000. The evacuation order affecting 3,380 properties was lifted at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday, marking the return of most residents. Efforts are underway to restore access to the remaining parts of Summerland in the coming days, as mentioned in a briefing by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on Tuesday evening.
Geotechnical assessments and power restoration work are ongoing, according to Graham Statt, the chief administrative officer of the District of Summerland. Statt affirmed the commitment to fully reopen the community and remove the evacuation order by Thursday through diligent efforts.
A smaller number of properties had their evacuation orders lifted over the past weekend, bringing relief to some returning residents. Individuals like Jan Schumacher and Cory Lee Myers expressed gratitude and emotional relief upon finding their homes intact. Fire Chief Rob Robinson highlighted the challenging firefighting efforts, particularly in the Herron Road area, where some homes were lost, but the downtown area was preserved.
Although most residents have returned home, 530 properties in Garnet Valley, Prairie Valley, and Meadow Valley are still under evacuation orders. The remaining Summerland residents are under evacuation alert and must remain prepared to leave at short notice. Safety concerns persist in areas awaiting geotechnical assessments, with Garnet Valley still without power.
Despite challenges like a boil water advisory and a landfill fire, efforts are ongoing to address these issues. An initial assessment revealed about 150 structures damaged or destroyed by the fire, with social support provided to those affected. As of Tuesday, the fire spanning 220 square kilometers remains out of control, with firefighters focusing on containing its aggressive behavior on the western front.
The community continues to recover and rebuild, with authorities emphasizing safety and support for all affected residents.