Community Update: Wildlife Safety and Awareness

Update as of 4:00pm, Aug. 11, 2026

For residents returning home, it is especially important to be aware of increased wildlife presence in community. Residents should be advised OKIB crews have reported an increased in wildlife sightings.

Wildfire impacts on habitat and food sources will push wildlife including bears and other larger mammals down into human habituated areas as they search for food and water sources. It is important to remember that starving or injured animals may act in an unpredictable or aggressive manner.

What you should do:

• Make sure children and pets are supervised when outside. Hungry and injured wildlife can behave in an unexpected or aggressive manner.

• It’s important to exercise awareness, especially at dawn and dusk when wildlife and bears are most active.

• Keep your property clear of potential bear food sources such as fruit trees with fallen food, compost, outdoor pet food, bird seed and unwashed recyclables which may attract bears.

• Keep Garbage and Recycling bins stored inside a secure sealed structure until the morning of collection. Garbage and recycling should be put out the morning of pick up and never left out overnight.

• Keep your barbecue clean by burning off uncooked food and emptying the grease container.

OKIB has notified Conservation Officers and RCMP. Personnel are aware of these animals in community and are asking community for help in notifying them when they reappear.

If you see a bear in and around your house or community buildings contact our Community Safety and Bylaw Dispatch or Conservation Officers:

Community Safety & Bylaw Dispatch Number: 250-306-3892

Dispatch Email: dispatch@okanagan.org

Monday – Friday 0800-1630 / 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Or

the R.A.P.P hotline

Conservation Officers

1-877-952-7277