Bradley Creek Wildfire Update, Westside Road Drive-Through
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
August 21 2026 - A drive along Westside Road between Six Mile Creek Road and Highway 97 reveals the full scale of destruction left by the Bradley Creek wildfire, much of it not visible from Okanagan Lake.
One of the hardest-hit areas was Newport Beach. In addition to the roughly two-kilometre stretch of lakefront homes and communities wiped out along the shoreline near the marina, more destruction is clearly visible from Westside Road itself. Rows of properties, outbuildings and infrastructure were reduced to foundations, twisted metal and ash.
Official damage assessment by Canada Task Force 1 remains at a confirmed 245 structures damaged or destroyed on Okanagan Indian Band lands after examining 513 buildings.
Earlier estimates from OKIB Chief Dan Wilson put the figure at approximately 230 homes.
Current status (August 21, 2026):
Fire size: 2,658 hectares
Status: Being Held
Dozens of crews and heavy equipment remain in the area working on restoring power infrastructure, removing hazard trees, and securing the corridor.
Road crews and flaggers are actively controlling traffic, stopping vehicles when needed for safety and ongoing work.
Blue steel fences block access to properties that were destroyed or heavily damaged by the fire — many of them staffed by security guards.
There is a significant police presence along the road.
Multiple new BC Hydro and telephone poles now line the section where the old ones were burned.
Westside Road remains open to local/through traffic only, with a strict no-stopping zone between Irish Creek Road and Komasket Road.
Side roads (including Louis Estates) stay controlled. Partial evacuation order rescinds continue for selected addresses, including 16–81 Louis Estates Road.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Bradley Creek Wildfire Update, Westside Road Drive-Through
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