Smith Creek fire news release #13 from @CO_emerg

News Release No. 13

Date:     July 18, 2014

Time:    21:00

 

West Kelowna, B.C. – Fire fighters from West Kelowna, Lake Country and Kelowna fire departments are on patrol through the night on the Smith Creek fire.  They’re attending and extinguishing any hot spots or area flare ups that might occur.

 

Residents are asked that if they see any fire activity related specifically to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 9-1-1 as crews are actively patrolling all areas of the fire.

 

The fire is estimated to be 250-hectares in size, having been reduced earlier this evening by the BC Wildfire Management Branch from 400-hectares that was announced this afternoon.  The branch estimates the fire is 20% contained.

 

Emergency Support Services has received a tremendous outpouring of offers and generosity from citizens across the Central Okanagan and from all over British Columbia and thanks people for coming forward.  There have been hundreds of offers of available accommodation for those residents that are out of their homes.  While no goods or services are currently required, people who would like to offer accommodation may contact ESS volunteers at 250-870-5160.

 

Evacuation Orders remain in effect for about 2,500 residents of almost 1,100 homes while those on another 151 properties remain on Evacuation Alert and must be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should conditions change. 

 

At this time, the risk to hydro lines being affected by the Smith Creek fire is not as great as it was earlier today.  However, residents should still be prepared to be self sufficient in the event of any power interruption should circumstances change.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

·          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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