VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews continue responding to extensive damage caused by the Bradley Creek Wildfire. Since yesterday, crews have restored power to customers along Westside Road and reduced the number of affected customers from more than 3,500 to approximately 1,700 customers in the Vernon and Spallumcheen areas.
Crews were able to gain additional access to impacted areas yesterday, allowing damage assessments to begin. Early findings confirm significant damage to the electrical system. To date, BC Hydro has identified approximately 150 power poles that will require replacement, with that number expected to increase as crews gain access to more areas and continue assessments.
Today, crews are focused on continuing damage assessments, making damaged electrical infrastructure safe and creating access for BC Wildfire Service and first responders operating in the area. BC Hydro is also mobilizing additional crews, materials and equipment needed to begin rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
Restoration efforts will depend on wildfire activity, weather conditions, site access and the ability for crews to work safely. Given the significant damage identified so far, customers in the Vernon and Spallumcheen areas should be prepared for prolonged outages while BC Hydro completes assessments and develops a restoration plan.
BC Hydro understands the challenges extended outages create for residents, businesses and communities and appreciates customers' patience as crews work to safely restore service.
Customers are encouraged to monitor the latest outage information at bchydro.com/outages and continue following all evacuation orders and alerts issued by local authorities.
August 2, 2026
BC Hydro’s preliminary assessments show extensive damage as a result Bradley Creek Wildfire
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews continue to respond to significant damage caused by the Bradley Creek wildfire, which has left more than 3,500 customers without power in the Westside Road, Vernon and Spallumcheen areas beginning yesterday.
BC Hydro's first priority remains supporting wildfire response operations and ensuring the area is safe for firefighting crews. BC Hydro is coordinating closely with BC Wildfire Service and local fire departments, providing any safety-related assistance required and making damaged electrical equipment safe so fire crews can access affected areas and carry out their work.
Today, crews are working in the Westside Road area to clear roadways, secure damaged electrical equipment and support wildfire response efforts. As access to affected areas improves, crews are also conducting preliminary damage assessments to determine the full extent of the wildfire's impact on the electrical system. Given the dynamic wildfire situation, further outages remain possible if fire activity, changing conditions or additional damage impacts electrical infrastructure.
Early observations indicate extensive damage. To date, BC Hydro has identified well over 100 damaged distribution structures, including power poles and related equipment. Additional damage may be discovered as crews gain further access to the affected area.
Given the extent of the damage identified so far, BC Hydro does not anticipate restoring power to affected customers today. Customers in the Westside Road, Vernon and Spallumcheen areas should be prepared for prolonged outages while crews continue assessments and develop a restoration plan.
Restoration efforts will depend on wildfire activity, weather conditions, site access and the ability for crews to work safely. BC Hydro understands the challenges extended outages create for residents, businesses and communities and appreciates customers' patience as crews work to assess damage and safely restore service as quickly as possible.
Customers are encouraged to monitor the latest outage information at bchydro.com/outages and follow all evacuation orders and alerts issued by local authorities.