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Update: 6:44 a.m.:
No new Evacuation Alerts or Orders are in place. Approximately 2,500 residents from almost 1,100 homes remain out on Evacuation Order.
Residents from about 150 properties on Lenz Road, including the Pinewood Villa Mobile Home Park and from 1898 to 2515 Bartley Road remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should fire behaviour increase.
A detailed map showing streets and addresses affected by the Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Orders can be viewed here.
Update 8:45 p.m.:
An Evacuation Alert has been issued for approximately 150 properties from 1898 to 2515 Bartley Road and Lenz Road (including Pinewood Villa Mobile Home Park) in West Kelowna as a result of the Smith Creek fire. These people should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice in the event the fire expands.
This is in addition to an estimated 2,500 residents from almost 1,100 homes that are under an Evacuation Order in the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods.
A detailed map showing streets and addresses affected by the Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Orders can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca.
Residents who reside within the evacuation area are asked to register in person with Emergency Support Services reception centre, located in Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna.
The Smith Creek fire is now estimated at 175-hectares and has not yet been contained.
Through the night, fire fighters from West Kelowna, Peachland, Kelowna and Lake Country along with BC Wildfire Management crew will remain on the scene and patrolling the fire.
During the overnight hours, residents may see bright fires burning related to the Smith Creek fire. Please do not call 9-1-1 to report this activity related to this particular fire as fire crews are remaining on the scene overnight and are aware of the fire.
RCMP have secure roadblocks in place and are conducting roving patrols throughout the night to provide security in those areas that have been evacuated.
While it’s greatly appreciated, Emergency Support Services (ESS) is not requesting donations of food, clothing or other assistance at this time. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response team is working with ESS to arrange accommodation for animals in the Evacuation Order areas.
All residents living west of the Bennett Bridge are asked to limit household water use and shutoff outdoor irrigation use to keep pressure and supply available for emergency crews fighting the fire.
New information including maps of evacuations will be released to the public through www.cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.
UPDATE 7 P.M.:
The Smith Creek fire has grown to approximately 175 hectares in size and is not yet contained.
Fire crews from West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Kelowna and BC Wildfire Management Branch are working to establish guards, contain the fire and protect homes and vital infrastructure in the area.
More than 2,500 residents living in approximately 1,100 homes in the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods have been evacuated due to this blaze.
As of 7 p.m. evacuees should report to the Emergency Reception Centre, which has been moved to Mount Boucherie Secondary School at 2751 Cameron Road. The previous reception centre at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church is closed.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) is not requesting donations of food, clothing or other assistance at this time. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response team is working with ESS to arrange accommodation for animals in the Evacuation Order areas.
The Kelowna BCSPCA did issue a statement claiming the branch is on standby as a receiving center for animals. If you are currently registered as a foster volunteer the shelter will contact you directly by phone for assistance if needed.
Please only call the branch at (250) 258-2512, if you require urgent evacuation assistance as the phone lines are very busy.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
Avoid the Smith Creek area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties.
Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency, or www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation.
Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
4:50 p.m. Update:
An evacuation order has been expanded to include the Smith Creek Neighbourhood, Tallus Ridge Estates, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods.
Evacuees should report to the Emergency Reception Centre set up at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church at 2630 Alhambra Drive, near the intersection of Highway 97 and Hudson Road.
Residents needing transportation assistance are required to contact 250-469-8490. Residents should close windows and doors, shut off all gas and electrical appliances except fridges and freezers. Gather family and pets, on leash, and take only key items like wallet, purse, keys and medicine.
A home and outbuilding that was shrouded in smoke and previously thought lost in the blaze was saved by helicopter bucketing crews.
The fire is currently 3.4 hectares and is burning east above the Smith Creek subdivision.
4:10 p.m. update:
An evacuation order has been expanded in the Smith Creek Area as fire fighters continue to battle a blaze burning above the West Kelowna neighbourhood. Firefighters from West Kelowna Fire Rescue and BC Forestry Service personnel are responding to the blaze.
The order impacts 585 homes and approximately 1,500 residents living in the following areas are required to leave their properties immediately:
- All properties accessed off of Dixie Road
- 3001-3072 Whispering Hills Drive
- Copper Ridge Drive
- Copper Ridge Court
- Copper Ridge Place
- Copper Ridge Way
- Iron Ridge Place
- Iron Ridge Road
- Stone Ridge Drive
- Bridal Hill Court
- Bridal Hill Road
- Rhinestone Road
- Wildhorse Drive
- Sageview Road
- Saddleridge Drive
- Sugosa Place
- North side of Salish Road (non-agricultural properties)
- 3046-3101 Smith Creek Road
- Summerview Place
- Summerview Court
- Doucette Drive
- 3125-3190 Shetler Drive
- Telcor Place
- Sandberg Road
- Twin Place
The fire has grown to 10 hectares in size.
There are currently 14 forestry firefighters on the ground along with firefighters from West Kelowna, Peachland and Kelowna.
Tankers and helicopters are hitting the fire from the air.
Evacuees should report to the Emergency Reception Centre set up at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church at 2630 Alhambra Drive, West Kelowna.
Residents needing transportation assistance are required to contact 250-469-8490. Residents should close windows and doors, shut off all gas and electrical appliances except fridges and freezers. Gather family and pets, on leash, and take only key items like wallet, purse, keys and medicine.
All residents living west of the Bennett Bridge are asked to limit household water use and shutoff outdoor irrigation use to keep pressure and supply available for emergency crews fighting the fire.
New information including maps of evacuations will be released to the public through the media and www.cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
- Avoid the Smith Creek area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties.
- Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency, or www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation
- Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
3 p.m. update:
An evacuation order has been issued due to a forest fire burning above Smith Creek. Firefighters from West Kelowna Fire Rescue and BC Forestry Service personnel are responding to the blaze.
All persons living in the following areas are required to leave their properties immediately:
- Bridall Hill Court
- Bridal Hill Drive
- Rhinestone Road
- Iron Ridge Road
- Sageview Road
- 2800 to 2899 Dixie Road
- 2600 to 2692 Copper Ridge Drive
- 3000 to 3024 Copper Ridge Court
- Copper Ridge Place
- Copper Ridge Way
- Sugosa Place
- 2701 - 2705 Salish Road
- 3046 to 3101 Smith Creek Road
- 3001 to 3072 Whispering Hills Drive
More details to follow.
Send
2:35 p.m. Update: RCMP are going door to door on Copper Ridge Drive and Sugosa Place putting the residents on Evacuation Alert.
Send video to news@castanet.
Firefighters are heading to a fire in the hills above Smith Creek.
Crews from West Kelowna Fire Rescue and BC Forestry are responding to the blaze.
The forest fire was reported at 1:20 p.m. in the Smith Creek neighbourhood above Dixie Road. The fire is estimated to be approximately 0.5 hectares in size.
There are two bombers and one helicopter working the fire.
We have a reporter heading to the location.
More details to follow.
