File photo of B.C. Hydro repairing infrastructure damaged by the White Rock Lake wildfire (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Wildfire Damages

Work ongoing to restore power at Okanagan fire areas

Aug 14, 2026 | 3:36 PM

Progress has been made restoring power to areas ravaged by summer wildfires.

B.C. Hydro said work was ongoing in the Okanagan Indian Band land, where power had already been restored to around 2,700 customers impacted by the Bradley Creek wildfire and area windstorms.

Crews had also installed nearly 200 new power poles in the area.

“Energization of the main distribution line remains on track for Friday (August 14), with customer restorations expected to begin progressively over the weekend as distribution lines are rebuilt off the mainline and re-energized,” the utility provider stated in a release.

“Final restoration work for remaining customers is expected to continue into Monday and Tuesday.”

Ongoing Wildfire Concerns

State of Local Emergency being extended

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Wildfire Damages

Work ongoing to restore power at Okanagan fire areas

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Work Starts Monday

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As of time of publication, 331 properties were still without power due to the Bradley Creek wildfire. Those included 319 customers along Westside Road and 21 near Armstrong.

Meanwhile, work to assess and rebuild infrastructure damaged by the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland was also underway.

B.C. Hydro stated more than 200 damaged poles had been identified in that area, with assessments ongoing and total damage expected to increase as crews continue to move through the community.

Around 260 customers in that community were without power as of Friday, but B.C. Hydro said crews were “replacing poles, repairing infrastructure and preparing for a major rebuild effort, including mobilizing resources and establishing staging areas.”

The utility stated power restoration for some customers could begin as early as the coming weekend, although those timelines remained subject to conditions and damage assessments.

B.C. Hydro serves properties around Summerland, but the majority of residents receive power through the municipality’s electrical service.

People were encouraged to be prepared for wildfire-related emergencies and extended power outages by having a household emergency plan, grab-and-go bags and emergency kits packed and ready, keeping emergency contact information readily available, and taking steps to reduce wildfire risks around their homes.

by Liam Verster

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