Wesley Ridge Wildfire

Effective August 6, 2025, at 4 p.m. a portion of the properties currently on Evacuation Order due to the Wesley Ridge wildfire will be allowed to return home. These properties will be placed on an Evacuation Alert for the foreseeable future. This initial change effects approximately one third of the properties currently on Evacuation Order.

All properties being downgraded to Evacuation Alert today have been assessed to ensure it is safe to return home. None of the properties in this area have been impacted by fire and did not lose power during this evacuation order.

Please know our first priority is getting residents home as soon as it is safe to do so. We understand that it is disappointing that not all evacuees are able to return home at this time.

We are in constant communication with BC Wildfire Service and other partners to assess when more properties can be taken off Evacuation Order.

Those that remain on Evacuation Order include: 

The following properties remain on Evacuation Alert:

Properties downgraded from Order to Alert:

Properties remaining under Alert:

Updates to the Evacuation Order and Alert areas are made based on recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service about wildfire activity, in addition to other hazards caused by the fire that need to be mitigated, a lack of utility services, or firefighting equipment that is still present in the area and posing potential hazards.

We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of residents in these areas who are currently affected by this Evacuation Order as we work to make sure that a return to regular access can be granted as soon as possible.

We ask the public to avoid the areas under Evacuation Alert as there will continue to be fire suppression efforts throughout the area.

Resident Re-Entry Information 

As you return home after the wildfire evacuation, please keep in mind that your community may look different than when you left it. Emergency operations are still underway with first responders as well as firefighting machinery still present in the area. Most importantly, you are returning to an area that is still under alert. Please respect the continued emergency operations in your area and do not attempt to enter areas under evacuation order.

Use caution and exercise good judgment when re-entering an area that was affected by the wildfire. Hazards may still exist, including hot spots that can flare up without warning.

Re-entry safety

• Inspect your home carefully before entering. Watch for unstable structures, ash pits and fallen trees.
• Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety. Ash pits are holes full of hot ashes, created by burned trees and stumps. You can be seriously burned by falling into ash pits or landing in them with your hands or feet. Warn your family and neighbours to keep clear of the pits.
• Be mindful of danger trees and consider having an assessment done by a professional.
• BC Hydro reports that service in your specific area remained active during the evacuation. If you turned utility service off in your home, please use caution when resuming service. Alternatively, call a professional to turn your service back on.
• If food has expired, discard as normal.

Health & Support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or distressed, support is available:

• BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
• A wildfire re-entry guide, created by Interior Health, is available on the RDN website by scanning the QR code  

Re-Entry Checklist

IMPORTANT: The area you are returning to is still under alert. If, at any time, you feel your home or surroundings are unsafe, do not proceed.

• Visit RDN.bc.ca regularly for notices about evacuation alerts, orders and rescinds and other updates.
• Register to receive Voyent alert updates for your community: rdn.bc.ca/emergency-alerts.
• For Water Advisory information on RDN and utility services visit: rdn.bc.ca/water-and-utility-services.
• Thoroughly check for hazards before entering your house.
• Exercise safety and caution when returning to a property by wearing items such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and rubber boots.
• Wear an N-95 or equivalent dust mask (disposable facemask to filter dust and other air particulates) to reduce potential smoke exposure.
• All spoiled food can be discarded as normal. Note: curbside pick-up service will be updated through the RDN curbside app.
• For general RDN emergency operations centre information: 250-390-6538.

Additional Information:

Returning to your home after a wildfire from Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/sites/default/files/environment/documents/returning-home-after-wildfire.pdf
Disaster recovery information for the public: Disaster recovery information for the public - Province of British Columbia
RDN re-entry information: Re-entry | RDN