Off Road Vehicle Ban in Place for Southeast Fire Centre

Off-road vehicles to be prohibited in the Southeast Fire Centre

August 10, 2026

CASTLEGAR – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PT on August 10, 2026, off-road vehicles (ORV) will be prohibited on crown land throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, which includes the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District.

Given the scope and scale of fires currently burning in B.C., and the elevated danger ratings in many southern regions of the province, this prohibition is being put into place to further protect public safety.

As of 12 p.m. (noon) PT, August 10, 2026, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land will be prohibited and all on-highway vehicles must remain on road surfaces as defined in the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation.

The prohibition applies to off-road vehicles as defined in the Off-Road Vehicle Act and section 2 (a) of the Off-Road Vehicle Regulation:

• all-terrain vehicles
• motorcycles
• off road side-by-side vehicles

This prohibition does not apply to private lands or national parks. It also does not apply to emergency response, agriculture or commercial / industrial users who operate off road vehicles for farming or business purposes. 

Also applies for Coastal, Kamloops, and Cariboo Fire Centres.

New fire start, south east of Kelowna

 Fire Number K51522 - air resources deployed

1.1 Hectares

Discovered On August 10, 2026

Waiting for the BC Wildfire Site Update

We are Southeast Fire Centre, but not far towards Oliver is the Kamloops Fire Centre.

 Apex Mountain Resort Facebook Group

Curtis Turchak ·e͏d͏n͏o͏t͏S͏p͏s͏o͏r͏t͏t͏5͏3͏4͏5͏8͏6͏f͏9͏6͏6͏0͏t͏h͏g͏u͏l͏3͏u͏1͏3͏l͏m͏c͏f͏f͏m͏0͏i͏3͏u͏h͏5͏h͏f͏1͏t͏m͏1͏m͏m͏1͏m͏t͏u͏3͏3͏7͏l͏ ·

Good morning everyone,

Recreation Sites and Trails BC has advised me that effective 12:00 (noon) today, the Kamloops Fire Centre is enacting an equipment and activities prohibition that includes Off-Road Vehicle use.

The new order prohibits the operation of any Off-Road Vehicle (ORV), for recreational purposes on Crown Land, as defined in the Off-Road Vehicle Act and further prescribed in section 2 (a) all-terrain vehicles, (b) motorcycles, (c) off-road side-by-side vehicles, of the Off-Road Vehicle Regulation, with the exception on-highway motor vehicles.

Members have been advised to park all machines!

Regards,

Curtis Turchak

President

Southern Okanagan Dirt Bike Club (SODBC)

See les

Years Ago

Around 2010, there was an assessment done by Fred Marshall indicating a high fuel load below us, and a community in need of major FireSmart type work.

When I started posting about that kind of stuff, I received photos and info from a Baldy skier I've known most of my life. His submissions detailed the work that Oregon had done around their cities/communities. Spacing trees and removing ground and ladder fuels.

We have had some of that type of work done below us. Lobbying for more forest management Province wide is important.

As a community, we all need to do more to FireSmart our properties. As long as our village has dense tree stands, and carpets of needles, all of our properties are at risk.

I won't photograph and shame some of the worst lots, but there are standing dead trees on properties where ownership tends to walk away at the end of the ski season, and not come up in the off season. Trees are dying in the village. When they land on your cabin, the costs will exceed what it costs to take them down. When they fall on your neighbour's home, that is another story.

I have a sprinkler on my roof, but I was stunned by the report of an experienced structure protection fellow who stayed behind on Westside Road. He had a sprinkler system running, but the fire was so intense he went into the lake and watched his home burn.

Community

Josh Tomlin received a commendation for his life saving role when a fellow customer collapsed in Osoyoos Home Hardware in 2024.

Scott and Robin hauled a load of donated goods for the evacuees in Penticton.

Deb and Kerry are housing 5 evacuees while they are on evacuation alert themselves in Penticton.

New neighbour Andrew is finally home and not looking scary anymore after a motorcycle accident in late June. I told him helping is the Baldy way, but he kindly brought gifts for Janine and I today.

Baldy Family

Members of our community have been affected by alerts and/or orders in Peachland, Summerland, and now just north of Penticton. 

If you can do additional FireSmart work on your property without using tools that could generate a spark, please do so.

Have your grab and go bags ready.

What is alarming..........

In the media availability today, the severity and speed of the fire near Summerland was described as something that had never been seen before. More than 50 people were rescued by helicopter.

The  BCWF service is expecting that there will be another fire of this magnitude given the drought, dryness, heat and wind.

In 2021 we had some time to gather our things and leave. If you haven't already done so, it is a good idea to make a video or take photos of the contents of your cabin.

Have your most important stuff packed and by the door. 

Provincial Update today

 

Faint hope?

One weather guesser suggesting moisture Wednesday night. 

Our thoughts are with Baldy families

Baldy families are still affected by earlier fires, and now Baldy Summerland families have had a terrifying night.

It is windy now at Baldy, and smoky.