NEWS RELEASENews Release No. 14Time: 4:15 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – BC Wildfire Management Branch estimates the Drought Hill forest fire to be 25% contained and 60% of the fire has hand guard around it. A fire warden crew and fire department personnel will be on scene throughout the night. Fire crews will work towards full containment again tomorrow.
One property on the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road remains on Evacuation Alert. No further orders or alerts are anticipated at this time.
The public can monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation.
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NEWS RELEASENews Release No. 12Time: 10:10 a.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – BC Wildfire Management Branch, supported by structural fire crews from West Kelowna and Peachland, will continue to fight the Drought Hill fire today which remains at 40 hectares in size and is not contained.
The fire was calm overnight and remained within fire retardant lines and crews will work to establish containment guards through the rough terrain and aircraft will continue to action the fire from the air.
Highway 97C will return to normal function later this morning with the removal of single lane closures.
The Evacuation Order has been changed to an Evacuation Alert for one property in the4700 block of MacKinnon Road. No further orders or alerts are anticipated at this time.
The public is asked to watch for emergency vehicles in the area of the Drought Hill fire and boaters are asked not to interfere with aircraft attempting to reload with water in Okanagan Lake by staying well clear of aircraft.
The public can monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation.
The next update is anticipated at 4 p.m. today. News Release
News Release 11 Time: 5:00 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – Boaters are interfering with aircraft attempting to reload with water in Okanagan Lake. Boaters are moving into the area in an attempt to take a closer look at the activity or get photos with their cellphones; and, emergency officials need boaters to stay well clear of the aircrafts’ reloading areas for their own safety, the safety of the pilots and to avoid interfering with the wildfire fight.
Some Glenrosa residents are expressing concerns and anxiety about the number of aircraft flying over their neighbourhoods. At this time, the Drought Hill Fire is the only active blaze in the area, and the wildfire is burning approximately two kilometres from the nearest Glenrosa residences. An Evacuation Order will remain in place for one property in the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road and no further Evacuation Orders or Alerts are anticipated at this time.
Structural fire crews from the Districts of Peachland and West Kelowna and forest fire crews with the BC Wildfire Management Branch have been working steadily throughout the day and have kept the blaze 40 hectares in size, according to the latest reports from the BC Wildfire Management Branch. Officials on site are reporting that the fire is not yet contained but state that crews continue their work to establish guards through rough terrain. The potential for localized wind gusts and hot, dry weather remain concerns.
Fire crews continue to assess the situation and determinations will be made Saturday as to whether or not the Highway 97C Visitor Information Centre can open and if single lane closures will remain in effect in each direction on the Okanagan Connector - Highway 97C, approximately four kilometres west of the junction with Highway 97. For the latest highway information visitwww.drivebc.ca.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C through the fire zone, stay away from emergency vehicles and watch for lane closure signage and traffic personnel. · Keep boats well clear of the active water reloading areas on Okanagan Lake. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation. · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
News Release No. 7Date: August 8, 2014 Time: 7:00 a.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – It’s been a good night for BC Wildfire Management firefighters monitoring the Drought Hill fire just north of the Okanagan Connector Highway 97C. Cooler temperatures overnight and little or no wind helped keep the fire activity low.
BC Wildfire Management says the fire remains within retardant guards and is estimated at 30-hectares in size.
Incident Command meets this morning to determine today’s plan of attack in the air and on the ground.
One home in the 4700 Block of MacKinnon Road remains under Evacuation Order. No further orders or alerts are in place at this time.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reminds motorists of a westbound lane closure along Highway 97C the Okanagan Connector, approximately four kilometers from the junction with Highway 97. Watch for emergency vehicles in the area due to the Drought Hill fire. For the latest information visit www.drivebc.ca
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency. News Release No. 6Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 7:45 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – The Drought Hill Forest Fire, now estimated at 30 hectares, will be monitored overnight by BC Wildfire Management Branch.
Emergency personnel will meet early in the morning on August 8 and an update on the fire and the emergency response is expected to be distributed at 7 a.m.
A Local State of Emergency and Evacuation Order for one home on the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road in West Kelowna remains in place.
Lane closures on Highway 97C are still in effect and motorists should watch for any further traffic restrictions.
Flare ups may be visible overnight. The public is asked not to call 9-1-1 as emergency crews are on the scene and responding as needed.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
News Release No. 5Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 6:45 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – The Drought Hill Forest Fire is now estimated by BC Wildfire Management at 25 hectares. There are no further evacuation orders or alerts anticipated at this time. A Local State of Emergency and Evacuation Order for one home on the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road in West Kelowna remains in place.
The public are asked not to stop on Highway 97C near the Drought Hill Forest Fire zone. The area needs to be kept clear for emergency personnel to effectively action the fire.
Highway 97C is now reduced to one lane in both directions to ensure the safety of emergency personnel through the fire zone.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
News Release No. 4Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 6:20 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – The public is asked not to stop on Highway 97C near the Drought Hill Forest Fire zone. The area needs to be kept clear for emergency personnel to effectively action the fire.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared to facilitate the evacuation of one home on the4700 block of MacKinnon Road in West Kelowna due to the Drought Hill forest fire.
The fire is burning near Highway 97C and is now estimated at 13 hectares in size. Highway 97C is now reduced to one lane in both directions to ensure the safety of emergency personnel through the fire zone.
Approximately 35 fire personnel from West Kelowna and Peachland Fire Departments as well structural fire crews and BC Wildfire Management are actioning the fire, which began at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wildfire Management Branch has three helicopters, two air tankers and four skimmers actioning the fire with seven fire personnel on the ground and another 20 on the way.
People are asked to avoid the area during this emergency response.
The Emergency Operation Centre has been mobilized and will support field crews responding.
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 about this fire as emergency responders are aware of it.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency. News Release No. 3Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 5:35 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – A Local State of Emergency has been declared to facilitate the evacuation of one home on the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road in West Kelowna due to the Drought Hill forest fire.
The fire is burning near Highway 97C and is now estimated at 13 hectares in size. Highway 97C is now reduced to one lane in both directions to ensure the safety of emergency personnel through the fire zone.
Approximately 35 fire personnel from West Kelowna and Peachland Fire Departments as well structural fire crews and BC Wildfire Management are actioning the fire, which began at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wildfire Management Branch has three helicopters, two air tankers and four skimmers actioning the fire with seven fire personnel on the ground and another 20 on the way.
People are asked to avoid the area during this emergency response.
The Emergency Operation Centre has been mobilized and will support field crews responding.
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 about this fire as emergency responders are aware of it.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
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News Release No. 2Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 5:15 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – The Drought Hill forest fire, burning near Highway 97C, is now estimated at 13 hectares in size. Highway 97C is now reduced to one lane in both directions to ensure the safety of emergency personnel through the fire zone.
Approximately 35 fire personnel from West Kelowna and Peachland Fire Departments as well structural fire crews and BC Wildfire Management are actioning the fire, which began at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wildfire Management Branch has three helicopters, two air tankers and four skimmers actioning the fire with seven fire personnel on the ground and another 20 on the way.
People are asked to avoid the area during this emergency response.
The Emergency Operation Centre has been mobilized and will support field crews responding.
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 about this fire as emergency responders are aware of it.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Slow down on Highway 97C and stay away from emergency vehicles. Watch for lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
News Release No. 1Date: August 7, 2014 Time: 3:45 p.m.
West Kelowna, B.C. – A wildfire estimated at 4.5-hectares is currently burning near the Okanagan Connector, Highway 97C near the MacKinnon Road area. West Kelowna and Peachland structural fire crews and BC Wildfire Management have responded and are on the scene.
The Emergency Operation Centre has been mobilized at a Level One and will support field crews responding.
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 about this fire as emergency responders are aware of it.
New information will be released to the public through the media and cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
· Avoid the Trepanier and Highway 97C areas so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties. · Motorists heading along Highway 97C are asked to slow down and stay away from emergency vehicles and watch for any lane closures and traffic personnel. · Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation · Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.
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