Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
With around 20,000 people evacuated from Summerland and surrounding Okanagan communities due to the active Bald Range wildfire, the need for emergency relief across the region is massive.
Provincial Emergency Support Services have set up reception centres at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and the Westbank Lions Community Hall in West Kelowna. These hubs are providing shelter, clothing, emergency pharmacy refills, and mental health support for families forced to flee on short notice.
Despite the tragedy, stories of generosity are emerging. In Penticton, members of the local gurdwara (Sikh temple) are preparing upwards of 2,000 hot meals a day for displaced residents, offering a place of sanctuary and warm food for families who have lost everything. “We don’t say no to anybody. Everybody is welcome and people are grabbing food,” said Rajinder Singh, a member of the Penticton Sikh Temple.
Former Summerland mayor and current Nanaimo City Councillor Janice Perrino notes that many Vancouver Islanders have deep roots in the Okanagan and want to assist.
“There are so many people here on Vancouver Island that are actually from the Okanagan and understand what fire is like in the Okanagan” said Perrino. “If there is anything people can send as far as financial aid and products that’ll be best.”
With around 20,000 people evacuated from Summerland and surrounding Okanagan communities due to the active Bald Range wildfire, the need for emergency relief across the region is massive.
Provincial Emergency Support Services have set up reception centres at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and the Westbank Lions Community Hall in West Kelowna. These hubs are providing shelter, clothing, emergency pharmacy refills, and mental health support for families forced to flee on short notice.
Despite the tragedy, stories of generosity are emerging. In Penticton, members of the local gurdwara (Sikh temple) are preparing upwards of 2,000 hot meals a day for displaced residents, offering a place of sanctuary and warm food for families who have lost everything. “We don’t say no to anybody. Everybody is welcome and people are grabbing food,” said Rajinder Singh, a member of the Penticton Sikh Temple.
Former Summerland mayor and current Nanaimo City Councillor Janice Perrino notes that many Vancouver Islanders have deep roots in the Okanagan and want to assist.
“There are so many people here on Vancouver Island that are actually from the Okanagan and understand what fire is like in the Okanagan” said Perrino. “If there is anything people can send as far as financial aid and products that’ll be best.”
