Wildfires

B.C.'s provincial state of emergency over wildfires ended Thursday, though officials warned the fire risk remains high.

B.C. has extended its provincial state of emergency until Aug. 29 as wildfire risks remain high across the province.

Summerland expects to downgrade its final evacuation orders Friday, allowing residents of about 80 properties to return to a wildfire-damaged area where electricity may not be fully restored until Wednesday, chief administrative officer Graham Statt said.

About 450 properties in the District of Summerland could be cleared for re-entry Thursday afternoon as officials prepare to downgrade evacuation orders across much of the community.

The theft of critical suppression equipment, including pumps, is hampering crews at the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, the B.C. Wildfire Service said Wednesday.

The majority of Summerland residents are able to return home after an evacuation order was lifted, but it's still unclear how many homes may have been lost to the Bald Range wildfire.

Emergency officials estimate about 150 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Bald Range wildfire in Summerland and surrounding rural areas.

Summerland wineries and fruit growers are assessing potential crop losses after a fast-moving wildfire forced evacuations at the height of harvest season.

Premier David Eby is scheduled to hold a media availability Wednesday afternoon in Penticton with local officials as wildfire response efforts remain active across the Okanagan.

The Bald Range wildfire has grown to 18,450 hectares as crews work to strengthen containment lines and prepare for thunderstorms that could increase fire activity, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.