Community Update: Bradley Creek Wildfire response and recovery

Update as of 10:30am, Tuesday, August 18, 2026

In a very short period of time, the Bradley Creek Wildfire response has moved from an immediate emergency, through active response and now into the early stages of recovery. OKIB is increasingly focused on hazard abatement, property access and establishing the supports that will be needed as recovery moves forward.

Significant work is happening  throughout the affected area, and access to more areas can change as work progresses.

Westside Road

Westside Road has reopened between Komasket Road and Simla Road for through traffic. Motorists travelling through the area must remain on Westside Road and continue through without stopping.

Evacuation Orders remain in place for affected properties between Komasket Park and Irish Creek Road. Side roads and property access points also remain closed while safety assessments and hazard-abatement work continue. Security teams will be on site 24/7 while hazard abatement is ongoing.

Motorists travelling Westside Road should follow all traffic controls, expect periodic delays and remain on the main road when passing through the affected area. Where possible, motorists are encouraged to continue using the southern route.

Hazard abatement and property assessments

Hazard abatement is now a primary focus in the fire-affected area. Crews are conducting danger-tree assessments and falling, assessing damaged propane and fuel systems, and identifying other hazards that must be addressed before access to affected properties can safely resume.

This work needs to occur before remaining Evacuation Orders can be reconsidered, and residents can begin returning to those properties.

At the same time, OKIB is contacting Certificate of Possession (CP) holders where damage to their properties has been confirmed. CP holders are being provided with available information and damage assessments for structures located on their properties.

For properties occupied by renters or leaseholders, the CP holder will communicate information about property damage to those residents so they can begin determining their next steps. Non-member residents should continue to contact their landlord, property manager or CP holder for information specific to their property.

OKIB recognizes the significance of this information for people who have been waiting to learn the condition of their homes and properties. Notifications will continue as assessments are completed and information is confirmed.

Moving into recovery

Over the coming days, the focus will continue shifting toward safe property access and the individual recovery needs of affected households.

Once hazard-abatement work has been completed, affected property holders will be able to begin assessing their properties and determining what comes next. Depending on the level of impact, that may include returning home, arranging insurance assessments, beginning cleanup or identifying temporary and longer-term supports.

OKIB EOC is also establishing a Community Resiliency Centre at the Schubert Centre in Vernon to support the transition from emergency response into recovery. The centre will be available to OKIB Members and non-member residents and will bring together information and services from government, health and non-government agencies.

Additional information about the Community Resiliency Centre, available services and how affected residents can access those supports will be provided separately.

Emergency response work is continuing, and recovery will happen in stages. OKIB EOC will continue to provide updates on Evacuation Orders, property access, recovery supports and other changes as information is confirmed.

Please continue to monitor official OKIB channels for the latest information.