Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
File photo (Image Credit: BCWS)
By Liam Verster
Wildfire Update

Quilpituk Creek wildfire holding while firefighting efforts continue

Aug 13, 2026 | 11:53 AM

The wildfire burning south of Fintry was classified as ‘being held’ Thursday.

The designation Aug. 13 indicated the fire was unlikely to spread beyond the current perimeter.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said it was continuing work at the site of the 1,275.7 hectare blaze. That consisted of mopping up hot spots along Westside Road, small-scale hand ignitions along the northwest corner and west flank, and patrolling the fire boundary to extinguish flames.

Similar work is also happening at the Bradley Creek wildfire, which remains at 2,650.3 hectares. Operations there involved patrolling and extinguishing hot spots along the western and southern flanks.

B.C. Hydro was also working at the site of both fires to restore power and assess and address danger trees near critical infrastructure and roads.

Wildfire Update
Quilpituk Creek wildfire holding while firefighting efforts continue
1h ago
Continued Drought Conditions
Okanagan's drought, water scarcity ratings remain extremely high
2h ago
Missing Since Tuesday
Vernon RCMP searching for missing man
3h ago

The weather forecast called for sunny, warm and dry conditions Thursday, which the BCWS said were expected to contribute to increased smokiness, and the temperatures and relative humidity may also increase fire behaviour.

The BCWS had resources assigned to both fires including 107 wildland firefighters, six helicopters, 20 structure protection personnel, 21 pieces of heavy equipment, and an Incident Management Team.

The provincial firefighting agency reminded boaters to stay clear of the areas so aerial resources can safely collect water, and also urged people not to fly drones or personal aircraft near the fires as they can interfere with operations.

by Liam Verster
View Comments

Other Matters

Limited use
Highway re-opens
Highway 97 between Penticton and Peachland will reopen on a limited basis today as crews continue battling the Bald Range wildfire.Traffic will be allowed through from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but drivers are being told not to stop or leave the highway.Officials warn the route could close again quickly if fire conditions chan...
30m ago
Read More
Tennis Courts Reopnened
Resurfacing of Kalavista tennis courts complete
A community recreation space in Coldstream has been upgraded.The municipality said the resurfacing of the Kalavista tennis courts is now complete and the courts are open for public use. The courts were closed July 6 for the work to take place; it was done in two phases. The first stage saw the existing surface removed,...
1h ago
Read More
Wildfire Update
Quilpituk Creek wildfire holding while firefighting efforts continue
The wildfire burning south of Fintry was classified as 'being held' Thursday. The designation Aug. 13 indicated the fire was unlikely to spread beyond the current perimeter.The B.C. Wildfire Service said it was continuing work at the site of the 1,275.7 hectare blaze. That consisted of mopping up hot spots along Westsi...
1h ago
Read More
Continued Drought Conditions
Okanagan's drought, water scarcity ratings remain extremely high
Extreme drought conditions continue to persist in the Okanagan.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said Thursday, August 13, that the region was at Drought Level 5 with a High Water Scarcity Level, both of which were the highest ratings on their respective scales.The agency's weekly report stated concerns of limited to no w...
3h ago
Read More
Missing Since Tuesday
Vernon RCMP searching for missing man
Local police have asked the public for help tracking down a missing man.The RCMP said 28-year old Tyler Hanson was last seen in Vernon Tuesday, Aug. 11, and has not been seen or heard from since.Hanson is described as 5'9" (175 cm) tall and weighing 166 lbs (75 kg) with light brown hair and blue eyes. He was last ...
3h ago
Read More
Officials calling for patience
More access permits coming for Summerland evacuees
More temporary access permits are expected today for people in the evacuated Summerland area of the Bald Range wildfire. Requests will be prioritized based on need, with lower-priority cases now being considered.Officials say the wildfire remains dangerous, and more work is needed before residents can return, including...
3h ago
Read More
Plans for re-entry
Quilpituk Creek wildfire near La Casa now being held
The Quilpituk Creek Wildfire near La Casa is now being held, meaning it is expected to stay within its current boundaries.The Emergency Operations Centre is sending crews to check homes and other areas for dangers before residents can return.Crews will look for hazards such as dangerous trees, damaged power lines and o...
4h ago
Read More
Evacuees await answers
B.C. bringing in specialized teams to assess Bald Range wildfire damage
B.C. Wildfire Service incident commander Hugh Murdoch says there is still significant danger in the Bald Range wildfire, making it difficult for crews to quickly determine which homes were destroyed and which remain standing in the 19,149 hectare blaze.Speaking at a media briefing in Penticton Wednesday, Murdoch said t...
5h ago
Read More
Praising community response
Premier Eby visits Bald Range fire zone
B.C. Premier David Eby says he heard heartbreaking stories from evacuees during a visit to the South Okanagan Wednesday, where he met with evacuees, emergency crews and local officials responding to the Bald Range wildfire. Speaking in Penticton, Eby said, "Today, I met with people whose lives have been turned ups...
21h ago
Read More

What Matters

Wildfire Update
Quilpituk Creek wildfire holding while firefighting efforts continue
1h ago
Continued Drought Conditions
Okanagan's drought, water scarcity ratings remain extremely high
2h ago
Missing Since Tuesday
Vernon RCMP searching for missing man
3h ago
Wildfire Update
Bradley Creek fire down to Ranks 1 or 2, but incoming weather could stir up flames
Aug 12, 2026
Driving While Prohibited, Breach of Probation
Police asking for help locating wanted man
Aug 12, 2026