DAILY INTELLIGENCE LOG

STRUCTURE DEFENCE

British Columbia & Alberta

Friday, August 21, 2026

Information current as of approximately 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Wildfire conditions, evacuation boundaries, road access, utilities, restrictions and fire behaviour can change quickly. Instructions from the responsible local government, First Nation, emergency authority or transportation agency always take priority.

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STRUCTURE DEFENCE TAKEAWAY

Here’s what we know:

Bald Range remains the most consequential community wildfire and recovery operation in British Columbia this morning.

The most meaningful operational change is continued Summerland re-entry.

At noon Thursday, the District of Summerland downgraded another large portion of the remaining Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert.

Most of Summerland is now in re-entry or Alert status, but specific properties — including addresses along Garnet Valley Road north of Wildhorse Road and several individual properties elsewhere — remain under Evacuation Order.

The Summerland Landfill also remains directly affected by the wildfire. An active fire continues at the site, and electrical infrastructure and compost-processing equipment have been damaged.

The community-wide Boil Water Notice remains in effect.

Highway 97 remains open through Summerland in both directions 24 hours a day.

Approximately 150 structures remain preliminarily identified as damaged or destroyed across Summerland and Electoral Area F.

Elsewhere:

• The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District continues to list Evacuation Orders for Pear Lake, Riley Creek and Bonanza Creek.

• Twin Two remains under Evacuation Alert.

• Pavilion-Clinton Road remains closed between Clinton and Mowich Road because of wildfire.

• In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road remains restricted to local traffic.

• Okanagan Indian Band continues to manage Bradley Creek evacuation and recovery measures.

• Alberta continues to report no Wildfires of Note in its latest official provincial listing.

Here’s what we’re watching:

Today is the final major heat-and-smoke day before a significant weekend weather transition.

Summerland is forecast near 35°C today.

Lillooet is forecast near 38°C.

Boston Bar is forecast near 38°C, with south winds gusting to approximately 40 km/h.

Saturday and Sunday bring cooler temperatures, showers and stronger winds across several priority regions.

That change could provide meaningful suppression benefit.

But the transition itself deserves close attention because wind may increase before widespread wetting occurs.

Here’s why it matters:

This wildfire period is increasingly moving from broad escalation toward a mix of suppression, re-entry and recovery.

That is encouraging.

But it does not mean the landscape has reset.

Several major fires remain active, some communities remain under Order, fuels have experienced a prolonged hot and dry period, and today brings another significant heat exposure before the weather changes.

The appropriate picture this morning is neither “crisis worsening” nor “wildfire season over.”

It is measurable progress within an environment that still requires operational attention.

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TODAY'S CONDITIONS

BALD RANGE — SUMMERLAND AND RDOS

Here’s what we know:

Bald Range remains an active wildfire and recovery operation.

The latest authoritative public fire-size figure located during this morning’s review remains approximately 21,256 hectares.

More recent public reporting has described continued activity and growth on the western side of the fire, but a newer authoritative BC Wildfire Service size was not available in a form that could be independently verified before publication.

For that reason, this report is not presenting a larger media-reported number as a confirmed current perimeter.

The wildfire remains Out of Control in the latest verified BC Wildfire Service reporting.

Re-entry expanded substantially Thursday.

Effective at noon, the District of Summerland downgraded another portion of the Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert.

Specific locations remain under Order, including:

• All addresses on Garnet Valley Road north of Wildhorse Road

• Multiple individual properties on Mott Street, Durick Avenue, Blagborne Avenue, Cartwright Avenue, Garnet Avenue and Denike Street

• Several individual properties farther north on Garnet Valley Road and Wildhorse Road

• The Summerland Landfill properties on Bathville Road

Residents should use the official address-level map rather than this summary to determine their exact status.

The entire community remains under a Boil Water Notice.

Approximately 110 structures remain preliminarily identified as damaged or destroyed in Electoral Area F, including Faulder and Meadow Valley.

Approximately 40 remain preliminarily identified as damaged or destroyed within Summerland.

Those figures may change as assessment continues.

Summerland Landfill remains affected by an active fire.

Damage to the compost site includes electrical infrastructure and equipment, and food scraps cannot currently be processed through the normal green-cart system.

Highway 97 remains open in both directions 24 hours a day.

Summerland is forecast near 35°C today with widespread smoke.

Saturday turns more unsettled with shower potential and increasing wind.

Sunday is substantially cooler, near the mid-20s, with additional shower potential.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Fire activity on the western and northwestern portions of Bald Range

• Remaining Evacuation Order areas

• Additional re-entry decisions

• Summerland Landfill fire activity

• Drinking-water testing

• Electrical restoration

• Danger-tree work

• Geotechnical and slope assessment

• Saturday wind

• Actual rainfall totals

• Whether meaningful wetting reaches active fire areas

Here’s why it matters:

Re-entry is meaningful progress.

But Bald Range remains a wildfire incident, not simply a recovery project.

The hottest weather of the current sequence arrives today, after several preceding hot days.

The more favourable weather begins tomorrow.

The operational question is whether suppression gains hold through today and whether the weekend system delivers enough rain to produce a meaningful fuel response.

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LILLOOET — RILEY CREEK, PEAR LAKE AND TEXAS CREEK

Here’s what we know:

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District updated its wildfire status page Thursday afternoon.

Active evacuation measures remain:

• Evacuation Order — Riley Creek

• Evacuation Alert — Riley Creek

• Evacuation Order — Pear Lake

• Evacuation Alert — Pear Lake

The Pear Lake Evacuation Order inside the SLRD remains in effect even though portions of neighbouring jurisdictions have moved farther into re-entry.

Pavilion-Clinton Road remains closed in both directions between Clinton and Mowich Road because of wildfire.

Lillooet is forecast near 38°C today.

Widespread smoke is expected.

South winds around 20 km/h with gusts to approximately 40 km/h are forecast this afternoon.

Saturday changes substantially:

• High around 29°C

• 60 percent chance of showers

• Risk of afternoon thunderstorms

• South wind increasing to around 40 km/h with gusts to approximately 70 km/h late in the morning

Showers or thunderstorms continue Saturday night.

Sunday remains much cooler and windy.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Riley Creek activity around Texas Creek

• Pear Lake evacuation boundaries

• Structure-protection operations

• South-facing and exposed fine fuels this afternoon

• Saturday wind arriving before or with precipitation

• Lightning

• Thunderstorm outflow

• Measured rainfall

• Holdover fires after the system passes

Here’s why it matters:

Today’s heat is significant.

Saturday’s transition may be even more operationally important.

A rapid change from hot, smoky weather into strong winds, showers and thunderstorms can create a short period of complex fire behaviour before widespread wetting begins.

The rain is encouraging.

The sequence and timing matter.

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BONANZA CREEK — BRIDGE RIVER AND SOUTH CHILCOTIN

Here’s what we know:

Bonanza Creek remains under Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert within SLRD Electoral Area A.

No new overnight evacuation expansion was identified during this morning’s authoritative-source scan.

The South Chilcotin environment remains hot today.

Forecast conditions near the South Chilcotin Mountains include approximately 32°C, local smoke and west winds developing later in the day.

Saturday becomes cooler with shower and thunderstorm potential.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Bonanza Creek evacuation boundaries

• Remote-road access

• Ranch and livestock operations

• Backcountry recreation

• Saturday lightning

• Wind shifts

• Holdover-fire detections after the weather transition

Here’s why it matters:

Remote communities and properties require more evacuation time.

Road options are limited, travel distances are longer and livestock or trailers can complicate departure.

That makes advance preparation during an Alert particularly important.

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TWIN TWO — ELECTORAL AREA C

Here’s what we know:

Twin Two remains under Evacuation Alert only.

The In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road remains closed to general traffic except local traffic while wildfire-response operations continue.

No new escalation was identified overnight.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Whether the remaining Alert can be rescinded

• Local-road access

• Saturday wind and lightning

• Hotspot activity

• Holdover fires

Here’s why it matters:

Twin Two continues to show improvement from its earlier Order phase.

The remaining Alert still matters because the wildfire response and access environment have not fully returned to normal.

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NORTH OKANAGAN — BRADLEY CREEK AND OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND

Here’s what we know:

Okanagan Indian Band remains listed by EmergencyInfoBC as an active wildfire emergency, with its listing updated Thursday.

Bradley Creek is in a substantially more favourable phase than during its peak evacuation period.

Multiple Orders have been rescinded or downgraded during recent days.

Recovery work has included:

• Water systems

• Electrical infrastructure

• Westside Road access

• Danger-tree removal

• Hotspot suppression

• Assessment of damaged properties

Some evacuation measures and local access restrictions remain.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Remaining Orders and Alerts

• Water-quality restoration

• Westside Road access

• Utility restoration

• Fire response during today’s heat

• Weekend wind and rain

Here’s why it matters:

Bradley Creek is now primarily a staged re-entry and recovery operation.

That does not mean every hazard is gone.

Water, power, trees and roads can remain the limiting factor after wildfire spread has been substantially reduced.

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SOUTH CARIBOO

Here’s what we know:

The wider Pear Lake environment remains operationally relevant across the South Cariboo.

Conditions around Clinton are forecast near 32°C today with widespread smoke and south winds around 20 km/h.

Saturday is cooler, near 28°C, with shower potential.

Open-fire and off-road vehicle restrictions remain significant across the Cariboo.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Pear Lake activity

• Rural-road access

• Livestock and ranch impacts

• Saturday rainfall

• Lightning

• Holdover fires

• Human-caused starts

Here’s why it matters:

The South Cariboo has seen meaningful re-entry progress.

But large portions of the landscape remain dry, and the broader Pear Lake incident is still active across multiple jurisdictions.

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SOUTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA

Here’s what we know:

The Southeast remains warm today.

Recent heat has been notable enough that the Trail area set a new daily maximum temperature record Thursday at 37.2°C.

Cranbrook and neighbouring areas remain under wildfire-smoke air-quality warnings.

The Southeast Fire Centre continues to have multiple wildfire Area Restrictions.

Recreational off-road vehicle use on Crown land remains prohibited throughout the fire centre.

Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited.

Saturday introduces additional cloud, showers and thunderstorm potential in parts of the region.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Lightning

• Thunderstorm rainfall coverage

• Outflow winds

• Existing fire behaviour

• Holdover-fire detection Sunday through Tuesday

• Whether cooler weather produces sustained improvement

Here’s why it matters:

The Southeast’s immediate concern is less about one dominant community wildfire and more about new-start potential across a landscape with multiple active incidents.

Thunderstorms can help and hurt at the same time.

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ALBERTA

Here’s what we know:

Alberta’s official Wildfires of Note page continues to list no Wildfires of Note.

No major community-threatening Alberta wildfire was identified during this morning’s significant-incident scan.

Conditions remain considerably more favourable than across the hottest areas of southern British Columbia.

Recent rainfall has reduced broad wildfire pressure across several southern and west-central forest areas.

Thunderstorms remain the principal near-term variable.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Lightning-caused starts

• Areas receiving lightning without useful rainfall

• Holdover fires

• New municipal wildfire incidents outside the Forest Protection Area

• Any new Wildfire of Note

• Local restriction changes

Here’s why it matters:

Alberta remains operationally quiet.

The current watch is primarily for isolated lightning-caused starts rather than a broad escalation signal.

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ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

TODAY IS THE PEAK OF THE CURRENT HEAT SEQUENCE

Here’s what we know:

Friday remains extremely hot across several active wildfire environments.

Approximate forecast highs:

• Summerland — 35°C

• Lillooet — 38°C

• Boston Bar — 38°C

• Clinton — 32°C

Widespread smoke remains present across much of the southern Interior.

Environment Canada has issued Orange Air Quality Warnings across several wildfire-affected regions.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Fine-fuel moisture

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Afternoon fire activity

• Hotspot activity

• Heat stress on firefighters and recovery crews

• Smoke reducing visibility

Here’s why it matters:

This is not one isolated hot day.

Today follows a sustained period of warm and dry weather.

Repeated heating can progressively dry exposed fuels even where large-scale fire growth has slowed.

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WEEKEND WEATHER TRANSITION — WIND MAY ARRIVE BEFORE FULL WETTING

Here’s what we know:

A significant weather change begins Saturday.

Summerland:

• Cooler

• Showers increasingly likely

• Windy

Lillooet:

• Around 29°C

• 60 percent chance of showers

• Thunderstorm risk

• South winds potentially gusting near 70 km/h

Boston Bar:

• Around 29°C

• Showers possible

• Stronger southerly winds

Sunday is much cooler across most priority regions.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Timing of the frontal passage

• Wind speed before rainfall becomes widespread

• Thunderstorm outflow

• Lightning

• Actual rainfall totals

• Duration of wetting

• Fire response after the front passes

Here’s why it matters:

A weather change is not automatically an immediate improvement.

Wind can increase first.

Rain may follow later.

The most operationally important period may therefore be during the transition rather than after it.

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RAINFALL AND PROLONGED DRYNESS

Here’s what we know:

Meaningful widespread rainfall has not yet reached the major southern Interior wildfire environments.

The better opportunity begins Saturday and continues into Sunday.

The Okanagan, Lillooet and Fraser Canyon have experienced prolonged periods of limited precipitation.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Measured rainfall

• Spatial coverage

• Duration

• Locations that miss precipitation

• Fine-fuel response

• Moisture penetration into deeper organic layers

Here’s why it matters:

A short shower can improve grass and needle moisture quickly.

It may do much less for heavy woody fuels, deep duff and long-term drought.

The amount and duration of rain matter more than the symbol on the forecast.

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DROUGHT AND FIRE-WEATHER INDICATORS

Here’s what we know:

Drought Code, Buildup Index and Fine Fuel Moisture Code vary substantially by weather station.

There is no single current authoritative Drought Code that accurately describes every region covered by this report.

Presenting one broad number would create false precision.

Operationally, the more meaningful signals are:

• Bald Range remains active and Out of Control.

• Pear Lake, Riley Creek and Bonanza Creek remain associated with Evacuation Orders.

• Southern Interior heat peaks today.

• Widespread wetting rainfall has not yet arrived.

• A strong weather transition begins Saturday.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Station-level Drought Code

• Buildup Index

• Fine Fuel Moisture Code

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Rainfall accumulation

• Fire response after the weekend system

Here’s why it matters:

Fine fuels can change rapidly.

Deep drought responds slowly.

Both short-term improvement and persistent seasonal dryness can exist at the same time.

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LIGHTNING AND HOLDOVER-FIRE POTENTIAL

Here’s what we know:

Lightning becomes increasingly relevant through Saturday.

Thunderstorm risk appears across portions of:

• Lillooet

• South Chilcotin

• Southeast British Columbia

• Alberta

Some wildfire-affected regions may receive useful rainfall.

Others may receive lightning with substantially less moisture.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• New smoke after thunderstorms

• Lightning outside meaningful rainfall

• Holdover ignitions emerging Sunday through Tuesday

• Thunderstorm outflow

• Multiple new starts affecting Initial Attack capacity

Here’s why it matters:

Lightning-caused fires do not always become immediately visible.

Some may remain concealed in roots, duff and heavier fuels until the weather dries again.

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GRASS CURING AND HUMAN ACTIVITY

Here’s what we know:

Cured grass and exposed fine fuels remain receptive to ignition across dry portions of British Columbia.

Human-caused ignition prevention remains important while significant resources remain committed to existing incidents.

Common ignition sources include:

• Trailer chains dragging on pavement

• Hot exhaust systems in cured vegetation

• Machinery striking rock or metal

• Smoking materials

• Improperly extinguished fires

• Fireworks or exploding targets where prohibited

• Recreational off-road vehicle use where prohibited

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Roadside starts

• Agricultural or industrial ignitions

• Equipment use during today’s heat

• ORV-restriction compliance

• New human-caused incidents competing for suppression resources

Here’s why it matters:

Every preventable ignition avoided preserves firefighting capacity for communities already affected by wildfire.

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RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS

Here’s what we know:

KAMLOOPS FIRE CENTRE

• Category 1 campfires remain prohibited.

• Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited.

• Recreational off-road vehicle use on Crown land remains prohibited.

CARIBOO FIRE CENTRE

• Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 open-fire restrictions remain in place across the applicable prohibition areas.

• Recreational ORV use remains prohibited within the designated 100 Mile House prohibition area.

SOUTHEAST FIRE CENTRE

• Category 1 campfires remain prohibited.

• Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited.

• Recreational off-road vehicle use on Crown land remains prohibited.

• Multiple wildfire Area Restrictions remain active.

PRINCE GEORGE FIRE CENTRE

• The Category 2 and Category 3 open-fire prohibition introduced Thursday in the VanJam Fire Zone remains in effect.

ALBERTA

• Restrictions remain location-specific by forest area, municipality and park.

No additional major broad prohibition scheduled to take effect within the next 72 hours was identified during this morning’s forward scan.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Whether weekend rainfall leads to restriction rescindments

• New wildfire Area Restrictions

• Any changes associated with lightning-caused starts

• Additional prohibitions announced for implementation within 72 hours

Here’s why it matters:

Restrictions remain in force until the responsible authority formally rescinds them.

Rain or cooler weather does not automatically make a prohibited activity legal.

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HOMEOWNER IMPLICATIONS

For residents returning home:

• Confirm that the exact property has formally moved from Order to Alert or All Clear.

• Check drinking-water advisories before normal household use.

• Treat damaged electrical infrastructure as energized.

• Watch for unstable trees, burned roots, ash pits and damaged slopes.

• Expect firefighters, utility crews and recovery personnel.

• Keep evacuation supplies ready while an Alert remains active.

For residents under Evacuation Alert:

• Keep vehicles fuelled and positioned for departure.

• Keep medications, identification and important documents prepared.

• Maintain transportation plans for pets, livestock and anyone requiring assistance.

• Know which roads are currently available.

For residents under Evacuation Order:

• Remain outside the restricted area until the responsible authority permits return.

• Do not re-enter to inspect property or activate wildfire-protection equipment.

For residents outside evacuation areas:

• Continue clearing dry debris from decks, gutters and areas directly beside structures.

• Keep grass short where practical.

• Avoid creating sparks in cured vegetation.

• Follow campfire, open-fire and ORV restrictions.

These actions improve readiness.

They are not predictions and cannot guarantee structure survival.

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WHAT CHANGED SINCE YESTERDAY

BALD RANGE / SUMMERLAND — SIGNIFICANT RE-ENTRY PROGRESS

• Another large portion of Summerland was downgraded from Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert at noon Thursday.

• A defined group of addresses, including Garnet Valley Road north of Wildhorse Road and the Summerland Landfill area, remains under Evacuation Order.

• Residents in downgraded areas may return but remain under Alert.

• No broad All Clear has been issued.

SUMMERLAND RECOVERY

• The community-wide Boil Water Notice remains active.

• Approximately 150 structures remain preliminarily identified as damaged or destroyed.

• The Summerland Landfill remains affected by active fire.

• Electrical infrastructure and compost-processing equipment were damaged at the landfill.

• Modified waste collection remains in effect.

HIGHWAY 97

• Highway 97 remains open through Summerland in both directions 24 hours a day.

SLRD

• The SLRD reconfirmed active Evacuation Orders Thursday for Pear Lake, Riley Creek and Bonanza Creek.

• Twin Two remains at Alert.

• Pavilion-Clinton Road remains closed between Clinton and Mowich Road.

• In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road remains restricted to local traffic.

OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND

• EmergencyInfoBC continues to list the Bradley Creek response as an active wildfire emergency.

• Recovery and staged evacuation reductions continue.

ALBERTA

• Alberta’s official Wildfires of Note page continues to list no Wildfires of Note.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

• Today is now the peak heat day in several priority regions.

• Summerland reaches approximately 35°C.

• Lillooet reaches approximately 38°C.

• Boston Bar reaches approximately 38°C.

• A strong cooler, wetter and windier weather transition begins Saturday.

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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT

• Bald Range fire behaviour through today’s heat

• Remaining Summerland Evacuation Orders

• Additional Summerland re-entry

• Summerland Landfill fire and infrastructure recovery

• Drinking-water testing

• Updated Bald Range damage assessments

• Pear Lake Evacuation Order

• Riley Creek and Texas Creek

• Bonanza Creek

• Twin Two Alert status

• Bradley Creek recovery

• Pavilion-Clinton Road reopening

• In-SHUCK-ch access

• Timing and strength of Saturday’s wind shift

• Whether wind arrives before useful rainfall

• Actual rainfall totals

• Thunderstorm activity

• Lightning outside meaningful rain

• Holdover-fire detections Sunday through Tuesday

• New significant wildfire starts

• Alberta wildfire activity

• Restriction changes after the weekend system

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STRUCTURE DEFENCE TAKEAWAY — BOTTOM LINE

Here’s what we know:

The clearest operational story this morning is progress in Summerland.

More residents are returning home, Highway 97 is fully open and the Bald Range emergency is increasingly shifting toward recovery.

But that recovery remains incomplete.

Some properties remain under Evacuation Order.

The Boil Water Notice remains active.

The landfill is still affected by active fire and damaged infrastructure.

Pear Lake, Riley Creek and Bonanza Creek remain under Evacuation Orders within the SLRD.

Today also represents the peak of the current heat period.

Here’s what we’re watching:

The weekend weather transition may become the next major turning point.

If widespread rain arrives quickly and persists, it could materially improve suppression conditions.

If strong winds arrive first, existing fires may temporarily become more active before the benefit of precipitation is realized.

Lightning could also create new starts.

Here’s why it matters:

Progress should be recognized without overstating it.

Wildfire recovery is not the same as wildfire season ending.

The next 48 hours contain both an encouraging opportunity for meaningful moisture and a short-term operational risk during the weather transition.

Official emergency instructions always take priority.

Wildfire resilience starts before wildfire arrives.

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SOURCES CONSULTED

• BC Wildfire Service

• EmergencyInfoBC

• Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

• District of Summerland

• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

• Okanagan Indian Band

• DriveBC

• BC Wildfire Service Prohibitions and Restrictions

• Alberta Wildfire

• Alberta Wildfires of Note

• Environment and Climate Change Canada