Princeton - Summerland Road reopened between Trout Creek Main and Summerland

Princeton–Summerland Road listed as open again after wildfire closure

August 31 2026 4:50 PM - PRINCETON / SUMMERLAND: DriveBC says Princeton- Summerland Road has reopened between Trout Creek Main and Summerland following a weeks-long closure caused by the Bald Range wildfire.

The ministry posted the update Monday afternoon, Aug. 31.

DriveBC maps the same afternoon showed no closures on either leg of the corridor: Summerland to Bankeir/Osprey Place, and Bankeir/Osprey Place through to Princeton.

That is the first official sign that the back-road link between the two communities is again being treated as passable end to end.

The closed stretch had been the Summerland side of the road, from Trout Creek Main to Summerland. Alternate routes during the shutdown were Highway 5A and Highway 3.

What is confirmed and what is not

DriveBC’s public map and social post are the basis for the reopening claim. They show:

• 0 closures on the Summerland–Bankeir routing

• 0 closures on the Bankeir–Princeton routing

• a wildfire still marked on the Summerland-side route

They do not by themselves mean the road is unrestricted for all traffic.

As of Sunday, Aug. 30, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre still said Princeton–Summerland Road was closed to through traffic except for residents with a Temporary Access Pass.

RDOS also said crews and some restricted-access properties remained in the area, and that drivers should watch for traffic control.

BC Wildfire Service also has an area restriction around the Bald Range fire. That order took effect at noon Aug. 29 and is scheduled to remain until noon Sept. 12 unless it is rescinded earlier. The restriction is meant to keep the public out of active suppression areas.

Until RDOS and DriveBC are aligned, the accurate description is that the ministry has reopened the previously closed section on its system, not that every local access limit has been lifted.

Anyone planning to use the road should:

• Recheck DriveBC immediately before leaving

• Confirm with RDOS EOC (250-490-4225) whether Temporary Access Pass rules still apply

• Expect possible traffic control, smoke, and fire crews

• Stay out of any posted restricted area

• Be prepared for the road to close again if fire behaviour changes

Princeton–Summerland Road is a rural connector, not Highway 3. Conditions can change quickly.

This report is based on DriveBC’s Aug. 31 reopening notice and map routing, plus RDOS and BC Wildfire Service updates through Aug. 30.

Local emergency officials had not issued a matching “open to all through traffic” bulletin by the time of publication.