Smith Creek fire news release #19 from @CO_emerg

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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