Okanagan Indian Band

• The August edition of Senklip Newsletter is now here.

  Way’ Members, the August edition of Senk’lip is available to read online. In this month’s Senk’lip, you’ll find community updates, stories, important information, and so much more.

  Read more here.

  

Update as of 12:45am, Aug 3, 2026

wayʼ Members,

The Bradley Creek Wildfire (K41351) remains an active incident. Please be advised of the following updates:

➡️ All Evacuation Orders remain in effect. Residents and visitors are reminded that it is not safe to return to Okanagan Indian Band IR 1 until evacuation orders have been rescinded by emergency officials.

➡️ Westside Road remains closed. The roadway is not safe for travel due to active fire activity, downed power poles, hazardous trees, and ongoing emergency operations. Please do not attempt to enter the evacuation area or bypass road closures. Keeping roadways clear is critical to ensuring firefighters, utility crews, and emergency personnel can continue their work safely.

➡️ A Do Not Consume Water Advisory remains in effect for the following community water systems:

• Okanagan Indian Band Systems Six Mile / Bradley Creek / Irish Creek / Head of the Lake Community Water System (DWS #429)
• 59 Antoine Road Community Water System (DWS #2391)

Under a Do Not Consume Water Advisory, water should not be consumed for drinking, preparing food, making infant formula, brushing teeth, making ice, or any other activity where it may be ingested. Bottled water should be used until further notice.

Emergency crews continue working around the clock to suppress the wildfire, assess infrastructure, restore essential services, and prepare for recovery when conditions allow.

Further updates will be shared through the Okanagan Indian Band’s official communication channels as more information becomes available. (Link)

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Update as of 7:00am, Aug. 3, 2026

Community Update – Emergency Support Services (ESS)

As the emergency response continues, there have been changes to the locations and availability of Emergency Support Services (ESS).

Please note the following updates:

Beginning this morning at 9:00 a.m., ESS support for OKIB Members will be available at the Fairfield Inn, 5300 Anderson Way, Vernon.

The City of Vernon ESS Reception Centre at Kal Tire Place will also open at 9:00 a.m. 3445 43rd Ave, Vernon. Culturally appropriate services for OKIB Members are available in the Breakaway Room, located through the North Entrance on the second floor.

➡️ There is also an ESS Reception Centre set up at Westbank Lions Club 2466 Mainstreet, West Kelowna

The North Okanagan Friendship Center Society (NOFCS) will be open today beginning at 10:00 a.m. for young families and Elders impacted by the wildfire. The centre will provide food, access to its playroom for children, and a place to find respite from the smoke.

The Elks Lodge Reception Centre has now closed.

Housing and accommodations through the Métis Association are no longer available, as that facility has been deactivated.

If you have been evacuated and have not yet registered with Emergency Support Services (ESS), please do so as soon as possible.

Registering with ESS helps ensure you can access available supports, including accommodations, meals, financial assistance, and other services, while also helping emergency officials account for those displaced by the wildfire.

People can register through the BC Services app or online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

Further updates will be shared through the Okanagan Indian Band’s official communication channels as they become available.

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Update as of 10:30am, Aug. 2, 2026

Community Update: Bradley Creek Wildfire (K41351)

All Evacuation Orders remain in effect.

Evacuation Order 1: All residents north of Bonneau Road and south of Highway 97, including residents across the lake along Head of the Lake Road, Hawhola Road, and all properties to the OKIB IR 1 boundary.

Evacuation Order 2: All OKIB IR 1 properties south of Six Mile Creek to Westshore Estates.

Evacuation Order 3: All remaining OKIB IR 1 properties, resulting in all of Okanagan Indian Band IR 1 now being under an Evacuation Order.

Maps provided below:

Emergency Support Services

If you have evacuated and have not yet registered with Emergency Support Services (ESS), please do so as soon as possible. Registering with ESS helps ensure you can access available supports and allows emergency officials to better account for those displaced by the wildfire.

People can register for ESS through the BC Services app.  Here is the link https://ess.gov.bc.ca

The City of Vernon has established a reception Centre at Kal Tire Place for people who have been displaced (3445 43rd Ave,). All people displaced due to the Bradley Creek Wildland Fire should report to the reception centre if they have not already. For additional information, visit the City of Vernon website at  Vernon.ca

There is also an ESS Reception Centre set up at Westbank Lions Club 2466 Mainstreet, West Kelowna.

Bradley Creek Wildland Fire Update

The Bradley Creek Wildfire (K41351) remains an extremely active and volatile incident. Updates on the fire can be found at the BC Wildfire Service website: BC Wildfire Service

Fire behaviour can change rapidly as crews continue suppression efforts. The Okanagan Indian Band Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains fully activated and continues to work closely with the BC Wildfire Service, RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, Emergency Support Services, and other response partners.

We understand many Members are concerned about their homes, pets, and livestock. The EOC is currently working with the RCMP and emergency response partners to determine a safe process for Members who need to check on or care for livestock. Additional information will be shared as soon as those procedures have been confirmed. Until then, please do not attempt to enter the evacuation area on your own.

We recognize this continues to be a difficult time for our community and thank everyone for their patience, cooperation, and resilience. By respecting evacuation orders and staying clear of affected areas, you are helping firefighters and emergency responders focus on protecting lives and property. Further updates will be provided through the Okanagan Indian Band’s official communication channels as more information becomes available.

External information channels to follow for the most up-to-date information:

EmergencyInfoBC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

BC Wildfire Service: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca

Emergency Support Services (ESS): https://ess.gov.bc.ca

PreparedBC – Plan and Prepare: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc

DriveBC: DriveBC