Smith Creek fire news release #23 from @CO_emerg

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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