News Release No. 26

Date: July 21, 2014

Time: 15:00

West Kelowna, B.C. – An Evacuation Order for the Smith Creek Fire remains in effect for eight privately owned lots in the interface areas immediately above Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge and Shannon Woods Neighbourhoods, including all properties accessed off Dixie Road.

Two residents living on a property accessed off Dixie Road remain under Evacuation Order, the other properties are unoccupied. The Evacuation Order area, including parks, trails and public and private lands, remains closed to the public, including Wildhorse Park and Tallus Park.

The Smith Creek Fire remains active and approximately 2,500 residents who have returned to more than 1,100 homes remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice. The public must stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety and obey all warning and hazards signs. 

Fire officials continue to assess the fire situation and the future status of the Evacuation Orders and Alerts.

Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation.

The latest information, including street names and property descriptions, that remain under Evacuation Order, and street names that remain on Evacuation Alert can be found atwww.cordemergency.ca along with an interactive map of the Evacuation Order and Alert areas.

The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will close at 6 p.m., Monday, July 21. The residents remaining on Evacuation Order will be provided Emergency Support Services assistance as needed. 

The Emergency Operation Centre is standing down for the time being. Further updates will be posted, on an as needed basis, at www.cordemergency.ca.

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News Release No. 25

Date: July 21, 2014

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Corrects order of roads under Shannon Woods and Tallus Ridge Neighbourhoods

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Emergency Operation Centre advises that the Evacuation Order for the Smith Creek Fire has been lifted for additional streets in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood effective 12 p.m. Monday, July 21. The Evacuation Order remains in effect for eight large, rural, private properties in the interface areas immediately above Smith Creek,Tallus Ridge and Shannon Woods Neighbourhoods, including all properties accessed off Dixie Road.

The Smith Creek Fire remains active and residents returning to their homes will remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice. The public must stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety and obey all warning and hazards signs. The Evacuation Order area, including parks, trails and public and private lands, remains closed to the public, including Wildhorse Park and Tallus Park.

Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation.

The Evacuation Order is lifted but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:

The following roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

·         Asquith Road

·         Bridal Hill Court

·         Bridal Hill Drive

·         Copper Ridge Drive

·         Copper Ridge Court

·         Copper Ridge Place

·         Copper Ridge Way

·         Doucette Drive

·         Harold Road

·         Ironridge Place

·         Ironridge Road

·         Rhinestone Road

·         Shetler Drive

·         Sandberg Road

·         Sageview Road

·         Saddleridge Drive

·         Sugosa Place

·         Salish Road

·         Smith Creek Road

·         Stone Ridge Drive

·         Summerview Place

·         Summerview Court

·         Telcor Place

·         Twin Place

·         Whispering Hills Drive

·         Wild Horse Drive

The following roads in the Alexandria Neighbourhood:

·         Alexandria Way

·         Shannon Lake Road

The following roads/properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood:

·         Boulder Lake Boulevard

·         Cobblestone Road

·         Pebble Place

·         Stone Grove Crescent

·         Tuscany Drive

·         Tallus Ridge Drive including 2390 Tallus Ridge Drive

·         Big Sky Drive

·         Mountains Hollow Lane

·         Paramount Drive

·         Ryser Place

·         Tallus Heights Drive

·         Tallus Green Crescent

·         Tallus Green Place

The following roads in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood:

·         Shannon Woods Drive

·         Shannon Woods Place

·         Shannon Woods Way

·         Shannon Woods Cres

·         Shannon Hills Drive

·         Shannon Hills Place

·         Shannon Heights Court

·         Shannon Heights Place

The Evacuation Order is still in effect for:

·         2850 Dixie Road

·         Remainder Part West ½ DL3478,

·         Remainder Part East ½ DL3478 & DL3478

·         Remainder Part North ½ of W ½ DL3485

·         Lot 27 DL 3485 Plan KAP58401

·         Lot 1 DL2600 & 3793 Plan KAP84074

·         Remainder DL2600 Plan KAP44535

·         Remainder DL3793 Plan KAP44535

The Evacuation Alert has been lifted for:

·         Bartley Road

·         Lenz Road.

The latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas are available at www.cordemergency.ca.

RCMP will be in the area to ensure an orderly re-entry and to enforce road blocks in areas where Evacuation Orders are still in effect.  When returning home, be cautious in your neighborhood and watch out for:

·         Charred power poles and trees that may be unstable and fall.

·         Live power lines lying on the ground.

·         Small fires that may flare up without warning.

·         Ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.

Interior Health provides useful information for residents returning to their homes.  It deals with exposure to smoke from forest fires, food safety, water quality and septic tanks and disposal fields:

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Forest-Fires.aspx

BC Wildfire Management Branch says the fire is 260 hectares in size and 60% contained. Fires contained within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and be visible for several weeks.

The Emergency Support Services reception centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will be closed at 6 p.m., Monday, July 21. The residents remaining on Evacuation Order will be provided Emergency Support Services assistance. 

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

I have said it before and I will say it again: there is a steep learning curve that comes with being a Member of Parliament. I have no doubt the same applies to Members of Legislative Assemblies, no differently then I discovered on becoming a city councillor.

Last week in my MP report one of the subjects I raised was decisions made in the Courts by unelected judges as opposed to decisions made by democratically elected governments- my comments applied to all levels of government, this includes local governments, provincial governments, regional governments and of course federal. I also made it clear that my intent was to start a conversation and I requested feedback, being careful to also point out I was not attempting to sway opinion on the subject.

The good news was that I was successful in starting a conversation: my MP report led to an interview on a CBC national radio program and that led to a CBC print article. That in turn that led to a large number of responses on social media, emails to my inbox and even a few phone calls. 

The downside is that there was not much of a discussion. Although I heard from what I view as a significant amount of citizens the views tended to be either strongly concerned or strongly opposed.  There was little actual discussion.

What is most troubling is that many of those who are opposed resorted to either significant use of profanity or large scale personal attacks. Judicial activism is a legitimate concern that many citizens share- it is one that has been passed on to me by constituents and that in turn is why I raised the subject in an MP report. 

It is also understandable that citizens in any democratically diverse society will disagree, at times even strongly; this is of course why I asked for input on the subject in the first place. However what saddens me is that in a democratic discussion of differing points of view a segment of citizens feel personal insults & attacks is fair game and justified. For example, suggesting a discussion on a policy item that others feel strongly about, instead of leading to an exchange of information with the hopes of leading to better mutual understanding, you see personal attacks, insulting the intelligence of another (and much worse unfortunately).

I would also like to thank those citizens who took the time to offer comments both supportive and opposing in a respectful and fair manner. I have long maintained that part of what makes Canada stronger as a country is that in spite of our vast geographic size, cultural and historic diversity, we as Canadians respectfully exchange differing views and ideas on how we can continue to build on our success. At times Canadians are even mocked (in jest) for our “please and thank-you” politeness!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with disagreement and debate it is healthy and what keeps us vibrant and engaged as a society– however I also believe we should leave the personalities and personal attacks behind– and that is a lesson we can all be mindful of in how we can better communicate with each other as Canadians.

News Release No. 24

Date: July 21, 2014

Time: 9:00

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre does not anticipate any further changes or adjustments in existing Evacuation Orders or Alerts before approximatelynoon, today.

Approximately 300 people from just over 130 homes remain under an Evacuation Order in the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood that are accessed via Mountains Hollow Lane and for properties accessed via Dixie Road in the Smith Creek neighbourhood. Just over 1,000 homes remain on Evacuation Alert and those residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice if conditions change. For a list and a map of street names and areas under Evacuation Order and those remaining under Evacuation Alert, please go to www.cordemergency.ca.

Overnight, fire crews from West Kelowna and the BC Wildfire Management Branch conducted patrols for hot spots and to extinguish any flare ups.  The Branch advises the fire remains active at a size of 260-hectares and 60 per cent containment. Firefighters are reporting that more favourable weather conditions have helped in fighting the fire.

For those who remain on evacuation orders, the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will be open at 9 a.m. this morning. 

The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) is available for residents still out of their homes if they need animal assistance by calling 250-470-0694.

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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News Release No. 23

Date: July 20, 2014

Time: 18:40

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre does not anticipate any further changes or adjustments in existing Evacuation Orders or Alerts this evening. 

It’s expected the next scheduled update regarding the remaining Evacuation Orders will be before12 noon, Monday, July 21st.

We now have approximately 300 people from just over 130 homes still under an Evacuation Order in the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood that are accessed via Mountains Hollow Lane and for properties accessed via Dixie Road in the Smith Creek neighbourhood.   With the lifting of Evacuation Orders today, just over 1,000 homes remain on Evacuation Alert.

The Smith Creek Fire is still active and residents returning to their homes are on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes with little or short notice. For their own safety the public is requested to stay out of fire-affected areas and to obey all warning and hazards signs. The Evacuation Order area, including parks, trails and public and private lands, remains closed to the public.

Overnight, fire crews from West Kelowna and the BC Wildfire Management Branch will be conducting patrols for hot spots and to extinguish any flare ups.  The Branch advises the fire remains active at a size of 260-hectares and 50% containment.  Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, please do not to call 9-1-1 as crews are still actively working in the area and constantly monitoring the situation.

The latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas are available at www.cordemergency.ca.

RCMP report everything was smooth with this afternoon’s return of those allowed home.  They will maintain checkpoints and security patrols of those areas that remain under an Evacuation Order.

Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation. 

For those who remain on evacuation orders, the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will continue to operate until 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20thand reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 21st.  Residents remaining on Evacuation Order who have not received an extension will need to return to the reception center to receive additional food and accommodation vouchers. Volunteers will do their best to process evacuees as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) will be shutting down at the Mount Boucherie Reception Centre but will still be available for affected residents to contact for animal assistance by calling 250-470-0694.

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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News Release No. 22

Date: July 20, 2014

Time: 17:00

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Emergency Operation Centre advises that the Evacuation Order for the Smith Creek Fire has been lifted for additional streets in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood effective 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20. However, the Evacuation Order remains in effect for those properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood that are accessed via Mountains Hollow Lane and for properties accessed via Dixie Road in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood.

The Smith Creek Fire is still active and residents returning to their homes will remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes with little or short notice. The public is requested to stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety and to obey all warning and hazards signs. The Evacuation Order area, including parks, trails and public and private lands, remains closed to the public.

The Evacuation Order is rescinded but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:

The following roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

·         Asquith Road

·         Bridal Hill Court

·         Bridal Hill Drive

·         Copper Ridge Drive

·         Copper Ridge Court

·         Copper Ridge Place

·         Copper Ridge Way

·         Doucette Drive

·         Harold Road

·         Ironridge Place

·         Ironridge Road

·         Rhinestone Road

·         Shetler Drive

·         Sandberg Road

·         Sageview Road

·         Saddleridge Drive

·         Sugosa Place

·         Salish Road

·         Smith Creek Road

·         Stone Ridge Drive

·         Summerview Place

·         Summerview Court

·         Telcor Place

·         Twin Place

·         Whispering Hills Drive

·         Wild Horse Drive

The following roads in the Alexandria Neighbourhood:

·         Alexandria Way

·         Shannon Lake Road

The following roads/properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood:

·         Boulder Lake Boulevard

·         Cobblestone Road

·         Pebble Place

·         Stone Grove Crescent

·         Tuscany Drive

·         Tallus Ridge Drive including 2390 Tallus Ridge Drive

The following roads in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood:

·         Shannon Woods Drive

·         Shannon Woods Place

·         Shannon Woods Way

·         Shannon Woods Cres

·         Shannon Hills Drive

·         Shannon Hills Place

·         Shannon Heights Court

·         Shannon Heights Place

The Evacuation Order is still in effect for:

The following properties/roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

·         All properties accessed off Dixie Road

The following properties/roads in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Big Sky Drive

·         Mountains Hollow Lane

·         Paramount Drive

·         Ryser Place

·         Tallus Heights Drive

·         Tallus Green Crescent

·         Tallus Green Place

The Evacuation Alert has been lifted for Bartley Road and Lenz Road.

The latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas are available at www.cordemergency.ca.

RCMP will be in the area to ensure an orderly re-entry and to enforce road blocks in areas where Evacuation Orders are still in effect.  When returning home, be cautious in your neighborhood and watch out for:

·         Charred power poles and trees that may be unstable and fall.

·         Live power lines lying on the ground.

·         Small fires that may flare up without warning.

·         Ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.

Interior Health provides useful information for residents returning to their homes.  It deals with exposure to smoke from forest fires, food safety, water quality and septic tanks and disposal fields:

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Forest-Fires.aspx

The public is to stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety. 

BC Wildfire Management Branch says the fire is 260 hectares in size and 50% contained. Fires contained within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and be visible for several weeks.  Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation. 

For those who remain on evacuation orders, the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will continue to operate until 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20and reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 21.  Residents remaining on Evacuation Order who have not received an extension will need to return to the reception center to receive additional food and accommodation vouchers. Volunteers will do their best to process evacuees as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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News Release No. 21

Date: July 20, 2014

Time: 14:30

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Smith Creek Fire is still active and the public is reminded to stay out of the area for safety reasons and to ensure emergency responders can effectively perform their duties. The Evacuation Order area, including parks, trails and public and private lands, remains closed to the public.

The Evacuation Order has been partially lifted for more than 900 homes and approximately 2,000 residents in parts of the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods and for those living on Alexandria Way. Those residents returning to their homes remain on Evacuation Alert and are advised to pay attention to warning and road closure signs in the parts of their neighbourhoods that remain on Evacuation Order.

Approximately 500 people from 222 homes in Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge and Shannon Woods remain on Evacuation Order. For a complete list of roads that remain on Evacuation Order, please go to www.cordemergency.ca. The site also provides an interactive map of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas.

Those residents remaining on Evacuation Order should report back to the Emergency Reception Centre at Mount Boucherie Secondary School. The centre remains open until 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20 and will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 21.

BC Wildfire Management Branch reports that the fire is 260 hectares in size and 50% contained. Conditions of the fire and weather conditions affecting the blaze are subject to change; those residents returning to their homes should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice should conditions change.

Fires contained within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and be visible for several weeks.  Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation. 

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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News Release No. 20

Date: July 20, 2014

Time: 11:05 a.m.

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Emergency Operation Centre advises that the Evacuation Order for the Smith Creek Fire has been partially rescinded effective 11 a.m. Sunday, July 20.  Residents returning to their home will be on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes with little or short notice.

Crews are working hard to return remaining evacuees to their homes as soon as possible. Remaining evacuation orders will be evaluated later today.

The Evacuation Order is rescinded but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:

The following properties in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Asquith Road

·         Bridal Hill Court

·         Bridal Hill Drive

·         Copper Ridge Drive

·         Copper Ridge Court

·         Copper Ridge Place

·         Copper Ridge Way

·         Doucette Drive

·         Harold Road

·         Ironridge Place

·         Ironridge Road

·         Rhinestone Road

·         Shetler Drive

·         Sandberg Road

·         Sageview Road

·         Saddleridge Drive

·         Sugosa Place

·         Salish Road

·         Smith Creek Road

·         Stone Ridge Drive

·         Summerview Place

·         Summerview Court

·         Telcor Place

·         Twin Place

·         Whispering Hills Drive

·         Wild Horse Drive

Properties in the Alexandria Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Alexandria Way

·         Shannon Lake Road

A portion of the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Boulder Lake Boulevard

·         Cobblestone Road

·         Pebble Place

·         Stone Grove Crescent

·         Tuscany Drive

·         Tallus Ridge Drive

A portion of the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Shannon Woods Drive

·         Shannon Woods Place

·         Shannon Woods Way

·         Shannon Woods Cres,

The Evacuation Order is still in effect for:

Properties in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Dixie Road

The following properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Big Sky Drive

·         Mountains Hollow Lane

·         Paramount Drive

·         Ryser Place

·         Tallus Heights Drive

·         Tallus Green Cres,

·         Tallus Green Place

The following properties in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Shannon Hills Drive

·         Shannon Hills Place

·         Shannon Heights Court,

·         Shannon Heights Place

The Evacuation Alerts remain in effect for the following areas:

·         Bartley Road

·         Lenz Road

For the latest information and updated maps of the evacuation order and evacuation alert visitwww.cordemergency.ca.

RCMP will be in the area to ensure an orderly re-entry and to enforce road blocks in areas where Evacuation Orders are still in effect.  When returning home, be cautious in your neighborhood and watch out for:

·         charred power poles and trees that may be unstable and fall.

·         live power lines lying on the ground.

·         small fires that may flare up without warning.

·         ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.

Interior Health provides useful information for residents returning to their homes.  It deals with exposure to smoke from forest fires, food safety, water quality and septic tanks and disposal fields:

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Forest-Fires.aspx

The public is requested to stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety. 

BC Wildfire Management Branch says the fire is 260 hectares in size and 50% contained. Fires contained within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and be visible for several weeks.  Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation. 

For those who remain on evacuation orders, the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School will continue to operate.  Residents remaining on Evacuation Order will need to return to the reception center to receive additional food and accommodation vouchers. Volunteers will do their best to process evacuees as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

A media conference will be held at 12 p.m. at the Main Hall on Enterprise Way in the Courtyard area.

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News Release No. 19

Date:  July 20, 2014

Time: 8:15 a.m.

West Kelowna, B.C. – Unified Incident Command is currently assessing progress made in fighting the Smith Creek fire overnight and determining whether any changes should be made to the existing Evacuation Orders and Alerts, which remain in effect. 

Officials are working as quickly as possible to determine when it would be safe to allow residents to return to their homes. When it is safe, residents will be allowed to go home. Approximately 2,500 residents from 1,100 homes live within the areas under evacuation and alert.

Some evacuees may be required to check out of their hotels this morning before determinations are made on the status of the Evacuation Order. The Emergency Operations Centre requests the public’s patience while the situation is evaluated. Further information regarding the Evacuation Orders will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Any change in evacuation status will be posted to the www.cordemergency.ca website and via local media. 

The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre at Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna will reopen at 8:30 this morning to help any evacuees.

RCMP continues to maintain security in the affected areas with roving patrols while at the same time continuing to provide policing service to areas not affected by the fire.

For the latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Alert visitwww.cordemergency.ca.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

·          Avoid the Smith Creek area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties.

·          Okanagan Lake boaters stay away from the active area where helicopters and other aircraft may be filling with water.

·          Please only CALL 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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News Release No. 18

Date:  July 19, 2014

Time: 8:00 p.m.

West Kelowna, B.C. – Fire fighters from West Kelowna will be patrolling the Smith Creek fire overnight.  They’ll be watching for and extinguishing any hot spots and flare ups.

From time to time overnight, residents may see flare ups in the fire area.  Please do not call 9-1-1 as crews are on the scene and responding as needed.

The BC Wildfire Management Branch says despite gusty winds today, the fire has remained within its perimeter and is 30% contained having consumed 260-hectares since it was reported earlyThursday afternoon.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre advises that there will be no changes in the Evacuation Orders and Alerts regarding the Smith Creek fire this evening.   Approximately 2,500 residents from 1,100 homes live within the areas under evacuation and alert.

This decision from Unified Incident Command not to rescind any evacuation orders is based on the need to ensure public safety before residents are allowed to re-enter their neighbourhoods and safely return to their homes.

Any change in status will be posted to the www.cordemergency.ca website and via local media.  The next scheduled update from the Emergency Operation Centre Information Office is scheduled for 8:00 am Sunday.

RCMP continues to maintain security in the affected areas with roving patrols while at the same time continuing to provide policing service to areas not affected by the fire.

Evacuees should note that the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre at Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna, will close tonight at 10:00 pm.  It will be staffed with volunteers again at 8:30 tomorrow (Sunday) morning to provide assistance to those evacuees needing assistance. 

Evacuated residents with animals that have any concerns may contact the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) at 250-470-0694.  Since the fire began it has taken in more than 250 animals from fish, to horses, to chickens, dogs, cats and turkeys.

For the latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Alert visitwww.cordemergency.ca.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

·          Avoid the Smith Creek area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties.

·          Okanagan Lake boaters stay away from the active area where helicopters and other aircraft may be filling with water.

·          Please only CALL 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

Go to www.cordemergency.ca for the latest news and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas. Read updated posts at www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg. The public information line is 250-469-8490.

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