Smith Creek fire news release #11 from @CO_emerg

News Release No. 11

Date:     July 18, 2014

Time:    15:00

 

West Kelowna, B.C. – Members of the public looking for the latest information from the Emergency Operations Centre on the Smith Creek Fire have several options including a website, social media or a public information line.

 

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

 

The Smith Creek Fire is estimated to be 400 hectares. Aircraft and ground crews continue to vigorously attack the blaze, build fire guards and work towards containment.

 

Approximately 2,500 residents from almost 1,100 homes remain out on Evacuation Order. Areas affected by the Evacuation Order are Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods. Residents from about 150 properties on Lenz Road, including the Pinewood Villa Mobile Home Park and from 1898 to 2515 Bartley Road also remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should fire behaviour increase.

 

Westside residents are asked to be prepared for possible power outages as a result of the Smith Creek Fire.

 

You and your family should be prepared for at least 72 hours without power or basic services such as clean water. Basic essential items include non-perishable food for all family members, 2 litres of water per person per day, flashlights, batteries, cash, medications or other special needs items, first aid kit and emergency contact information, passports and identification.  More information on what to include in an emergency kit and how you can prepare in the event of a power outage is available at www.getprepared.gc.ca.

 

Residents who reside within the evacuation order area are asked to register in person with Emergency Support Services reception centre, located at Mount Boucherie Secondary School,2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna.  Residents who have been evacuated will receive food and accommodation vouchers for 72 hours.  If the evacuation order is extended people will need to return to the reception center to receive additional vouchers.  To date 1400 evacuated residents have registered, including 200 on Friday.

 

In order to continue to provide adequate water supplies for the fire-fighting effort, residents living west of the W.R. Bennett Bridge are asked to continue restricting their household water use and not to water outdoors.

 

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

 

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

·          Boaters stay away from the active area.

·          Monitor www.cordemergency.ca,  for confirmed information about the situation.

·          Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.

·          Public inquiries can be directed to 250-469-8490.

 

 

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