Okanagan Centre Fire News Release No.5

Overnight, fire crews from across the Okanagan snuffed out active fires inside the approximately 30-hectare Okanagan Centre wildfire.

Early this morning it was reported to be 80 per cent contained, although overnight crews continued to fight active fires inside the containment boundary.

Lake Country fire crews are receiving help today from neighbouring fire departments in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison and Joe Rich.  As well, BC Wildfire Service firefighters are on the scene.

It’s been reported as many as ten structures have sustained damage in the fire.  Detailed and more accurate assessments will be done to confirm damage figures later today.

The Evacuation Order and Alert remains in place this morning. The Evacuation Order for 331 properties within the Okanagan Centre area includes homes along a section of Okanagan Centre Road West, Nighthawk and Tyndall Roads.  A detailed map showing the properties within the Evacuation Order area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Evacuated residents are requested to register at the Emergency Support Services reception centre if they haven’t done so already.  It’s open at the Salvation Army Church in Kelowna at 1480 Sutherland Avenue to provide assistance and group lodging.

Residents of 657 properties are on Evacuation Alert and must be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change requiring them to leave their homes. A map showing properties within the Evacuation Alert area can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Information is also available 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).