Blaze near Peachland remains out of control
Thousands of people in Okanagan either evacuated or on alert due to 4 major wildfires burning in region
All resources on Friday were being devoted to what the BC Wildfire Service described as an “out of control” fire burning four kilometres south of Peachland at Mount Eneas.
Multiple helicopters and air tankers were used to hammer the flames with water for most of the day when temperatures were cooler and there was less wind. The blaze was estimated at 1,000 hectares in size.
Wildfire service officials felt some progress had been made overnight Thursday.
“It was a positive night for crews monitoring the Mount Eneas and the Goode’s Creek (within Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park) wildfires,” said a statement from the BC Wildfire Service that described them as “stable” Friday morning.
With thousands evacuated or on notice to be ready to leave their homes at any time, the BC Wildfire Service doesn’t believe homes have been lost to the flames.
“I’ve heard some outbuildings may have been lost, but we haven’t heard of any houses,” said BC Wildfire Service spokesperson Noelle Kakula.
A state of local emergency has been declared in Peachland and an evacuation alert has been issued for 596 properties south of Princeton Avenue, east to Highway 97.
A total of 1,735 individuals are affected by that blaze, with 41 properties on evacuation order.
Three properties just outside Peachland were ordered evacuated late Thursday night as a result of gusting winds fanning the Mount Eneas fire. Owners of those three properties on Log Chute Road were allowed back in their homes on Friday with a caution to be ready to leave if anything changed.
An evacuation order for properties on Brent Road and Highway 97 South remained in effect.
Evacuees were asked to head to West Kelowna’s Lakeview Heights Baptist Church to register at the Emergency Support Services reception centre.
Winds, meanwhile, hampered efforts to get any sort of a handle on the wildfire.
“We have heard that two fires might have joined, but we don’t know that yet,” said Kakula.
Highway 97, which had been subject to full and partial closures between Summerland and Peachland on Wednesday, was again temporarily closed Thursday night when driving through that area became too dangerous. The highway was fully reopened on Friday.
The Mount Eneas blaze was among four major wildfires burning in the South and Central Okanagan on Friday.
In the upper Glenrosa area of West Kelowna, an evacuation alert was issued late Thursday for 198 properties due to the Law Creek wildfire, but it was removed for 69 of those properties late Friday afternoon.
The alert was removed for properties on Carre Road, Chelsea Court, Corine Road, Corral Court, Fenton Road, Gates Road, Glenrosa Road, McKellar Road, Preston Road, Regent Road, Stonegate Court and Turnbull Road.
The BC Wildfire Service estimated this fire, burning out of control six kilometres southwest of West Kelowna, was about eight hectares in size.
Due to the high fire hazard, vehicles are now banned from Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna.
In a news release, regional district spokesman Bruce Smith said access to the park is difficult and narrow at the best of times, and cars could get in the way if emergency services are called to the park or nearby homes.
“Visitors on foot and bicycle are more than welcome to continue using the park,” said Smith.
The ban will stay in effect until the fire hazard improves, he said.
Firefighting efforts Friday on the 400-hectare Goode’s Creek blaze in Okanagan Mountain Park focused on Lakeshore Road, south of Kelowna. An evacuation alert affecting 15 properties in that area was lifted about 5 p.m.
In Kelowna, the fire department knocked down a bush fire on Knox Mountain Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported around 4:30 p.m. and grew to about 46 metres by 46 metres before fire crews gained the upper hand. By 5:10 p.m., firefighters were in mop-up mode. In the South Okanagan, the District of Summerland issued an evacuation order Thursday night for 86 homes on Garnett Valley Road due to the Mount Conkle fire burning near Shingle Creek Road and roughly eight kilometres southwest of Summerland. An evacuation alert was later issued for Garnett Valley Road between Jones Flat Road and Wildhorse Road. That fire was estimated at 90 hectares in size. “The guards we put in place held, so that is good news,” said Kakula.
Temperatures Friday that were up to 10 degrees cooler than in previous days also helped.
As of Friday, a special air quality statement was in effect for all areas in the Okanagan due to smoke from the wildfires.
People may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services has mobilized emergency response units to support first responders, evacuees and fire victims.
The Salvation Army has 18 units on standby. The mobile canteen units are equipped with stoves, fridges and grills to serve on location, and they can quickly relocate should circumstances change.
The Salvation Army was already active in West Kelowna and Penticton, where they were providing food, water and blankets.
The federal government is ready to assist with the Okanagan fires.
In a tweet Friday, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he has been in contact with Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr and provincial Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.
“Government of Canada ready to assist upon request,” Goodale tweeted.