Bradley Creek wildfire: crews hope for gains in calmer Sunday weather

Aug 2, 2026 | 6:57 AM

Fire crews will be hoping to take advantage of lower temperatures and easing winds Sunday as they continue their battle with the Bradley Creek wildfire at the northern tip of Okanagan Lake.

The entire Okanagan Indian Band residents were evacuated Saturday and large areas to the northwest and northeast are on evacuation alert after strong winds fanned the flames all afternoon.

The fire grew from 100 hectares in the morning to over 1,000 hectares by late in the day.

Highway97 north of Vernon remained closed as of Sunday morning.

BCWS Crews and Fire Departments remained onsite overnight conducting patrols for structure protection and structure defense. Both NVIS (night vision) groups worked on the fire through the night providing aerial monitoring and conducting tanking operations.

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Crews established guard and extended hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and helicopters were providing bucketing support.

Westside Road is currently closed between Bench Creek Road and Cortiana Bridge.

Personnel patrolled the east side of Okanagan Lake Saturday night monitoring for ember transfer and possible spot fires.

Aggressive fire activity into the evening continued to been driven by the significantly elevated winds. A second wind shift in the evening, coming more out of the south resulted in the fire growing to the northeast. The fire has crossed Highway 97 and the Highway is now closed.

by Vernon Matters staff

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