Community Update: Damage Assessments and Notification Process

Update as of 4:00pm, Aug 6, 2026

Damage assessments continue throughout the Evacuation Order Area as emergency crews gain safe access to affected properties. This work takes time, and assessments can only be completed once areas have been cleared for entry and it is safe for crews to operate.

This work is being conducted by Canada Task Force 1 in collaboration with the Okanagan Indian Band.

As damage is confirmed, the Okanagan Indian Band will continue contacting affected OKIB Members directly before information is shared more broadly. Our priority is ensuring that individuals and families receive confirmed information about their homes and properties privately and respectfully.

Please note that the notification process differs for properties located on Certificate of Possession (CP) lands.

For properties with a registered lease, OKIB will notify both the CP holder and the registered lessee once damage has been confirmed. If there is a sublessee or other occupant, the registered lessee will be responsible for communicating the information to them.

For properties with an unregistered arrangement, OKIB will notify the CP holder, who will be responsible for communicating the information to the occupant.

This approach ensures confirmed information is provided to the appropriate parties as quickly and accurately as possible.

We understand many people are waiting for answers. We ask for your patience as damage assessments continue. Our commitment remains to provide confirmed information as quickly as it can be safely gathered and verified.