Wildfire Shuts Down Westside Road and Highway 97

Bradley Creek Wildfire Surges Past 1,000 Hectares, Forces Closures and Evacuations in North Okanagan

August 2 2026 - A rapidly growing wildfire near Vernon, B.C., has ballooned to more than 1,000 hectares and remains out of control, prompting multiple evacuation orders, alerts, and key road closures as strong winds fueled aggressive fire behaviour overnight.

The Bradley Creek FSR wildfire (K41351), discovered on July 31, 2026, in the Kamloops Fire Centre area, had reached 1,047.31 hectares by the evening of August 1. BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is assisting the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department with the response.

Fire growth has been driven largely by fast-burning grassy fuels.

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A cold front brought elevated winds with gusts forecast up to 70 km/h across the Okanagan.

An unexpected westerly wind shift in the afternoon pushed the fire east toward Westside Road and Okanagan Lake, leading to the closure of Westside Road between Bench Creek Road and Cortiana Bridge.

A later shift from the south sent the blaze northeast, where it crossed Highway 97, now also closed.

Evacuation orders are in effect for areas under the authority of the Okanagan Indian Band, the Corporation of the Township of Spallumcheen, and the Regional District of North Okanagan.

Separate evacuation alerts have been issued by Spallumcheen, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and the Regional District of North Okanagan.

BCWS crews and local fire departments remained on site overnight for structure protection and defence. Night-vision equipped aircraft provided aerial monitoring and water bombing.

Four helicopters are assigned, along with a structure protection specialist.

Wildfire Shuts Down Westside Road and Highway 97