Quilpituk Creek wildfire on Westside Road held, assessments remain underway
Published 5:45 am Friday, August 14, 2026
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire remains held on Friday morning (Aug. 14), as evacuees wait for word that they can return home.
On Thursday morning, BC Wildfire Service changed the status of the 1,275.7-hectare blaze to being held, which means that “based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.”
At the same time, the Central Okanagan Emergency Management Emergency OC deployed “a rapid damage assessment team to assess readiness for re-entry.”
“Significant resources” were deployed to assess the area of dangerous trees, hydro lines, and other hazards and more. The EOC said that on Friday morning, once assessments are concluded, they will advise residents on the date, timing and other critical considerations for returning home.
The EOC will be providing a digital and a print information package to returning residents with more information and safety considerations.
Much like BCWS stated on Thursday, increased temperatures and relative humidity could reach levels that could increase fire behaviour, while some smoke haze might be seen but will be expected to clear by mid-morning.
On Friday, BCWS crews are continuing to mop-up along Westside Road moving south while securing into natural features and eliminating pockets of unburnt fuel between the fires edge and the containment line. Crews are working within 100 feet of the perimeter and will extend further into the fire’s interior over the coming days.
Along the northwest corner and west flank of the blaze, small-scale hand ignitions will be conducted to remove unburned fuel between the fire edge and established machine guard.
At the Bradley Creek wildfire complex, which covers both the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek wildfires, there is currently an Incident Management Team, 107 firefighters, six helicopters, 21 pieces of heavy equipment, and 20 structure protection members.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is one of 112 active wildfires and one of 37 that are stated as being held.
Black Press Media will stay up to date throughout the day.