GOVERNMENT says it continues to work with local partners to send supports into the Penticton area to support people evacuated due to the Bald Range wildfire, from Summerland and surrounding communities.
Hotel rooms remain available in Penticton, Kelowna and West Kelowna for people who have been evacuated. Those needing assistance to find an available hotel room or a referral to group lodging are encouraged to visit a reception centre at:
* Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power Street, Penticton
* Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street, West Kelowna
The Province continues to ask anyone who is evacuated and able to stay with friends and family to do so. Work continues with the tourism and hospitality sector, federal government and other partners to secure additional accommodation, including pet-friendly accommodation.
The BC Evacuee Helpline is open with extended hours and increased staffing levels in place to cut wait times and support evacuees accessing Emergency Support Services. Call the BC Evacuee Helpline at 1-800-387-4258, open from 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Residents can call 8-1-1 (HealthLinkBC) at any time for free, confidential health information and advice from trained health professionals.
The West Kelowna Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is operating under extended hours from 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. every day at 2484 Main Street. The Penticton UPCC is open from 5-8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and noon until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at 437 Martin Street, unit 101.
In addition, primary care providers from Summerland have made arrangements to work out of Penticton clinics to help with continued access to primary care services for residents.
Those who have been evacuated and left medications behind, or who are running low on prescription medications, can contact a local pharmacy to discuss options for obtaining an emergency supply.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Health Benefits is providing a support line for clients evacuated due to wildfires. The FNHA Health Benefits team can support clients to access health services, medications, supplies and equipment if they are evacuated or separated from their usual providers. The support line is available from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday by calling 1-855-550-5454.
Being evacuated, being on evacuation alert or being concerned for loved ones who are impacted by wildfires can have significant impacts on mental well-being.
The Provincial Health Services Authority has deployed the Disaster Psychosocial Support team to the evacuee reception centres in Kelowna and Penticton. The team provides emotional support, practical coping strategies, and connections to additional mental-health resources for people impacted by larger scale events and emergencies.
Additional mental health and crisis supports are available through the services listed below.
For adults:
* 24/7 Interior Crisis Line: 1-888-353-2273
* 24/7 B.C. Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
* 24/7 KUU-US Indigenous Line: 1-800-588-8717
* 24/7 Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722
For youth:
* Foundry Penticton is offering a drop-in space for youth who have been evacuated. Snacks, showers, laundry services and a place to decompress are available there Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
* Foundry centres also offer counselling, mental health and peer supports:
* Foundry virtual: Download the mobile app to access virtual counselling and peer support Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
* Foundry Penticton: call 778-646-2292 to make an appointment
* Foundry Kelowna: call 236-420-2803 to make an appointment. Drop-in counselling is also available at the Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country locations
* Kids’ Help Phone:
* 24/7 by text: Text CONNECT to 686868
* 24/7 by phone: 1-800-668-6868
* 27/4 online messaging: kidshelpphone.ca/need-help-now-web-message-us
For additional mental health and substance use supports, visit HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca
Agricultural emergency supports, including livestock relocation support, are available through agricultural co-ordinators in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre. They can be reached at 250-490-6531 and can provide supports to farmers, including temporary access passes and help with livestock relocation. Farmers who need agricultural response support can also call the AgriService BC emergency line at 1-888-221-7141.
Farmers enrolled in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Production Insurance or AgriStability programs may be eligible for financial assistance to help address margin-related income declines or wildfire-related costs. AgriStability participants can get advance payments of up to 75% of their estimated payout for the 2026 program year. Late participation is also now available, with producers able to enrol in the 2026 program year until Nov. 30, 2026.
Emergency Support Services and information are also available to migrant workers affected by evacuations. Migrant worker support organizations are working closely with the Western Agricultural Labour Initiative, consulates and employers to help migrant workers who have been evacuated and to connect them with available assistance.
