VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews achieved a major milestone yesterday, restoring power to approximately 2,700 customers affected by the Bradley Creek wildfire following extensive repairs to infrastructure damaged by wildfire and the windstorm that swept through the area last weekend.
Power was restored in phases throughout the afternoon and evening as crews completed repairs and rebuilt sections of the electricity system. To support restoration efforts, crews have repaired and replaced nearly 75 power poles damaged by wildfire and extreme weather.
Approximately 230 customers remain without power in the area. Crews continue working to restore service as quickly and safely as possible and BC Hydro will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Restoration work continues in Kelly Lake
In the Kelly Lake area, power has been restored to an additional 84 customers. Work remains underway to assess damage and restore service to remaining customers affected by outages in the area.
Support offered to Summerland
BC Hydro’s thoughts are with everyone impacted by the wildfire emergency in and around Summerland. While BC Hydro does not provide electricity service within the District of Summerland, BC Hydro has reached out to both the District of Summerland and FortisBC. In emergencies such as these, utilities across the province work together to support one another and the communities we serve.
Customer preparedness and support
BC Hydro encourages customers to be prepared for wildfire-related emergencies and extended outages by maintaining a household emergency plan, assembling a grab-and-go emergency kit, keeping emergency contact information readily available and taking steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes. More information is available at bchydro.com/getprepared.
Customers evacuated for five days or longer may qualify for an automatic bill credit for electricity used during that period. Additional information is available at bchydro.com or by calling 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376). For the latest outage information, visit bchydro.com/outages.
Aug. 7, 2026
More than 350 BC Hydro workers and contractors supporting power restoration efforts across B.C. as power returns to Clinton
VANCOUVER: More than 350 BC Hydro employees and contractors are working across the Southern Interior to restore power, rebuild wildfire-damaged infrastructure and support emergency response efforts. Today, crews achieved a major milestone with the restoration of electricity to the Clinton townsite, which had been without power since July 24.
Clinton re-energized following extensive restoration effort
The Clinton townsite supporting 500 customers was re-energized at approximately 5 p.m. today after crews completed repairs to wildfire-damaged infrastructure in the area. This work included replacement of approximately 200 destroyed power poles and over six kilometres of line stringing.
While customers in surrounding areas remain without power as restoration work continues, restoring electricity to Clinton will support critical infrastructure – including water facilities – and residents once they are able to return home.
Restoration efforts continue in Vernon and Spallumcheen
Approximately 3,100 customers remain without power due to the Bradley Creek wildfire, where evacuation orders remain in place and many residents are unable to return to their homes.
Restoration efforts continue to be challenged by hot, dry conditions and active wildfire behaviour. Crews are frequently required to pause work and move to safer locations as conditions change, affecting damage assessments, road access preparation, civil construction work, material delivery and other activities needed before power lines can be rebuilt and re-energized.
To date, BC Hydro has identified damage to more than 200 power poles in the affected area, with additional damage expected to be discovered as crews gain safe access to more locations. The full extent of the impact on electrical infrastructure is still being assessed.
The pace of restoration will depend on wildfire activity, weather conditions, site access and the ability for crews to work safely. Given the significant infrastructure damage identified so far, customers in the Vernon and Spallumcheen areas should be prepared for extended outages while BC Hydro completes assessments, develops a restoration plan and rebuilds damaged portions of the electricity system.
Provincial wildfire response and system update
To date, more than 1,000 wooden power poles have been destroyed by wildfire across the Southern Interior, with additional damage expected to be identified as crews gain access to affected areas in the coming days.
Despite wildfire activity in several regions of the province, BC Hydro's electrical system remains stable.
Crews continue to closely monitor wildfire activity near critical transmission lines, substations, communications facilities and microwave sites. Protective measures include vegetation removal, the application of fire retardant and, where necessary, the installation of sprinkler systems to help safeguard essential infrastructure.
BC Hydro crews are also supporting BC Wildfire Service operations by helping clear roads, remove hazardous trees and improve access routes for firefighters, first responders and critical services.
Customer preparedness and support
BC Hydro encourages customers to be prepared for wildfire-related emergencies and extended outages by maintaining a household emergency plan, assembling a grab-and-go emergency kit, keeping emergency contact information readily available and taking steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes. More information is available at bchydro.com/getprepared.
Customers evacuated for five days or longer may qualify for an automatic bill credit for electricity used during that period. Additional information is available at bchydro.com or by calling 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376). For the latest outage information, visit bchydro.com/outages.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468