©BCWildfireService

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is warning of increased flooding and slope instability risks following an assessment of the area affected by the Bradley Creek wildfire. In an update Tuesday morning, Sept. 8, the band said it has received a preliminary post-wildfire geohazard assessment from Stantec for areas affected by the blaze, which is now under control, having burned an area spanning 2,658 hectares after it ignited and rapidly spread on Aug. 1. The wildfire destroyed an estimated 230 homes on OKIB land. In the aftermath, the assessment identified an increased potential for flooding, erosion, debris flows, rockfall and slope instability in some burned areas, particularly during heavy rainfall, rain-on-snow events and spring freshet, the OKIB said. “Bradley Creek and several individual properties require further assessment. Increased runoff and debris could also affect drainage and the Westside Road crossing during significant rainfall,” the band said.