Peachland Fire

Effective at 5 p.m. this afternoon (Wednesday), the Evacuation Order will be rescinded for the entire area covering the District of Peachland and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area of the Regional District.

The approximately 258 residents will be allowed back into their homes after 5 p.m. and are reminded that they will be on Evacuation Alert and they should be prepared to leave their homes again with little notice.

This brings the total number of people on Evacuation Alert as a result of the Trepanier forest fire to 1,550.

RCMP will continue to provide patrols in the area through the overnight hours.

A detailed map showing the updated status of the rescinded Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas is available at www.cordemergency.ca.

Homeowners in the Coldham Road area of Peachland that are returning to their homes should be aware there was an extensive power outage during the time they were out of their homes on Evacuation Order. Electricity was restored yesterday and residents should take this into consideration regarding the safety of food in refrigerators and freezers.

Interior Health has excellent information available regarding food and water safety and power outages for residents returning after a fire on its Emergency Preparedness webpage:

http://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Documents/Food%20and%20Water%20Information%20for%20Evacuees%20Returning%20after%20a%20Fire.pdf

The District of Peachland has opened a Recovery Office to support Peachland residents who have been affected by the Trepanier Forest Fire. The office is located in the Peachland Municipal office, 5806 Beach Avenue and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents with questions or needing assistance should email firerecovery@peachland.ca or call 250-767-6055, Extension 120.

Residents looking for information regarding aerial fire retardant on their properties can contact ICL at 1-250-554-3530, or via their website at www.phoschek.com.

The Regional District Parks Services advises as a result of the forest fire, Trepanier Creek Greenway Regional Park is closed until further notice. When conditions are safe a hazard assessment will be conducted to determine what work will be required to make the park safe again for the public.