Okanagan Centre Fire News Release #3
Residents from approximately 330 properties have been evacuated from several roads within the Okanagan Centre area of Lake Country due to this afternoon’s wildfire.
An initial door to door evacuation was done as the fire began in the vicinity of Okanagan Centre Road West and 14th Street. The fire is now estimated at approximately 30-hectares in size.
A detailed map showing the properties within the Evacuation Order area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map
Residents that are out of their homes should report to the Emergency Support Services reception centre that is open to assist them at the Kelowna Salvation Army Church, 1480 Sutherland Avenue (Sutherland and Burtch). Residents must report to receive any assistance and group lodging.
In addition, an Evacuation Alert has been issued for residents of 657 properties. These residents should be prepared to leave their homes at a moments notice should fire conditions change and an evacuation become necessary. A map showing properties within the Evacuation Alert area can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca/map.
At this point this is still an active fire. It’s reported as many as ten structures have been impacted by the fire but an accurate assessment will be done once the fire has been contained.
Air and ground crews are working this blaze which was reported just after 4:30 this afternoon above Okanagan Centre Road West in Lake Country. A tactical evacuation was done for a number of properties in several upslope areas of Okanagan Centre.
The Emergency Operations Centre is supporting Lake Country fire crews on this fire. Fire crews and equipment from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison, Joe Rich, Armstrong and BX Swan Lake fire departments along with BC Wildfire Service air and ground support.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
-
Avoid the Okanagan Centre Road West, Tyndall Road, Camp Road, and Long Road areasso emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
-
Monitor cordemergency.ca for confirmed information about the situation
-
Please only CALL 9-1-1 in case of emergency
-
Monitor cordemergency.ca, facebook.com/CORDEmergency or twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation
Information will also be provided via the https://twitter.com/CO_Emerg and https://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency/ For more information contact the Information Office at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
It’s anticipated the next update will be approximately 9:00 am tomorrow morning.
