Okanagan Indian Band ‘getting stronger everyday’ amid devastating wildfire

Okanagan Indian Band ‘getting stronger everyday’ amid devastating wildfire Entire reserve has been evacuated and more than 30 people have lost homes, chief says, as blaze continues to burn as of Thursday BY AARON HEMENS, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ● NEWS, OKANAGAN ● AUGUST 6, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Share on WhatsApp Email this Page Emergency personnel are stationed at the north end of Westside Road, one of the entrances to the Okanagan Indian Band, on Aug. 5, 2026. With the Bradley Creek wildfire still active, evacuation orders remain in place for hundreds of people in the area. Photo by Aaron Hemens Although a devastating wildfire continues to leave hundreds without access to their homes, Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB)’s chief says his community “is getting stronger everyday.” “We’re holding up,” naspəpʕásəs Dan Wilson told IndigiNews on Wednesday, almost a week since the Bradley Creek wildfire ignited on reserve lands at nk̓maplqs (the head of Okanagan Lake) on July 31. “We’re very resilient. We have a long history — we’ve been here for 10,000 years.” The fire — which Wilson said sparked on range land above the community’s powwow grounds — is currently listed as out of control and is measured at more than 2,800 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Services’ Aug. 6 update.  “It was really a shock how fast this happened,” said Wilson. The band’s fire department is supporting provincial wildfire crews to combat the fire, he added. “The wind has been cooperating, but I’m told that is liable to change at any moment,” he said. “I was told that there may be some more lightning storms coming, so we need everybody’s thoughts and prayers.” Evacuation orders remain in place for the entire OKIB reserve, which is located near “Vernon” and home to around 1,000 members. There are also evacuation alerts and orders for nearby communities, including the Township of Spallumcheen and Splatsin. A map showing the Bradley Creek wildfire burning in the southern interior of B.C., from Aug. 5, 2026. Photo via BC Wildfire Service Wilson confirmed that more than 30 band members have lost their homes due to the fire, while around 200 homes and structures belonging to non-band members are also gone. “But those numbers are liable to change. The fire is still active on the reserve,” he said. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the RCMP. Wilson praised firefighters and first responders at the band’s…