New Princeton evacs

UPDATE: 5:35 p.m.

Another 49 homes along Princeton Summerland Road are being placed on evacuation order as a result of the raging wildfire burning north of Princeton.

The homes, in the Jura area, were previously on evacuation alert.

Roads within the order area include Hembrie Mountain, Jura Station, and Baker Hill roads, and a specific portion of Princeton Summerland Road.

Click here to access the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen website for a complete list of addresses on evacuation order.

An ESS reception centre has been set up at the Riverside Community Centre in Princeton.

All those affected by the evacuation order are asked to register.

In all, 350 homes are now under evacuation order as a result of the fire. Another 257 are on evacuation alert.

Residents and motorists are reminder Highway 5A between Princeton and Aspen Grove remains closed.

 

 

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UPDATE 5:00 p.m.

The Town of Princeton has declared a local state of emergency across the community, in response to the wildfire burning on its northern boundaries.

The state of emergency frees up funding and allows emergency responders access to private property without permission. It does not mean the town is under an evacuation order or alert.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says they should have new figures on the size of the wildfire at around 8 p.m.

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UPDATE 12:45 p.m.

A total of 187 people have registered at the emergency social services reception centre in Princeton as of Monday morning, according to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

RDOS Princeton Rural Director Bob Coyne says the evacuation process has gone about as smoothly as possible, noting that they have found accommodation for everyone impacted so far.

“The community has pulled together, most of the people working the Emergency Operations Centre are locals,” Coyne said. “This is a glass half full statement, but this has been an exercise for Princeton.”

“It is going very well,” he said, beaming at how both rural and town residents have been helping fire victims.

Coyne said he has heard about out a couple of homes that have been damaged by the fire, along with the destruction of several outbuildings. He said the community is happy to be seeing a police presence in the evacuation areas, and that there have not been any reports of looting like in Williams Lake.

Highway 5A remains closed between the Highway 3 junction in Princeton due to the fire. Highway 3 is open.

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ORIGINAL 10:15 a.m.

The wildfire raging north of Princeton grew by 33 per cent overnight, and is now sitting at 2,000 hectares.

The B.C. Wildfire Service has 61 firefighters, seven helicopters and several pieces of heavy equipment on the fire, which is still completely out-of-control. A dedicated incident management team has now taken control of the site.

A total of 301 homes have been evacuated, including the ranch of Steve Tobias, about 11 km north of Princeton on Highway 5A.

The fire was ripping down the hill towards his property Sunday night, as he was gathering some final things.

“It was a 400 foot wall of flame, you wouldn’t believe the sound of it,” he said Monday morning.

Tobias said many evacuees remain in good spirits, as Princeton pulls together, “you really get to know your neighbours.”

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is reporting this morning's controlled evacuation of 195 homes at Missezula Lake went smoothly. Emergency crews led them out of their community, through the fire zone at 2 a.m. this morning when fire activity is typically at its lowest.