Smith Creek fire news release #22 from @CO_emerg

News Release No. 22

Date: July 20, 2014

Time: 17:00

 

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Emergency Operation Centre advises that the Evacuation Order for the Smith Creek Fire has been lifted for additional streets in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood effective 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20. However, the Evacuation Order remains in effect for those properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood that are accessed via Mountains Hollow Lane and for properties accessed via Dixie Road in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood.

 

The Smith Creek Fire is still active and residents returning to their homes will remain on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes with little or short notice. The public is requested to stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety 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.

 

The Evacuation Order is rescinded but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:

 

The following roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

·         Asquith Road

·         Bridal Hill Court

·         Bridal Hill Drive

·         Copper Ridge Drive

·         Copper Ridge Court

·         Copper Ridge Place

·         Copper Ridge Way

·         Doucette Drive

·         Harold Road

·         Ironridge Place

·         Ironridge Road

·         Rhinestone Road

·         Shetler Drive

·         Sandberg Road

·         Sageview Road

·         Saddleridge Drive

·         Sugosa Place

·         Salish Road

·         Smith Creek Road

·         Stone Ridge Drive

·         Summerview Place

·         Summerview Court

·         Telcor Place

·         Twin Place

·         Whispering Hills Drive

·         Wild Horse Drive

 

The following roads in the Alexandria Neighbourhood:

·         Alexandria Way

·         Shannon Lake Road

 

The following roads/properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood:

·         Boulder Lake Boulevard

·         Cobblestone Road

·         Pebble Place

·         Stone Grove Crescent

·         Tuscany Drive

·         Tallus Ridge Drive including 2390 Tallus Ridge Drive

 

The following roads in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood:

·         Shannon Woods Drive

·         Shannon Woods Place

·         Shannon Woods Way

·         Shannon Woods Cres

·         Shannon Hills Drive

·         Shannon Hills Place

·         Shannon Heights Court

·         Shannon Heights Place

 

The Evacuation Order is still in effect for:

 

The following properties/roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

·         All properties accessed off Dixie Road

 

The following properties/roads in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:

·         Big Sky Drive

·         Mountains Hollow Lane

·         Paramount Drive

·         Ryser Place

·         Tallus Heights Drive

·         Tallus Green Crescent

·         Tallus Green Place

 

The Evacuation Alert has been lifted for Bartley Road and Lenz Road.

 

The latest information and updated maps of the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas are available at www.cordemergency.ca.

 

RCMP will be in the area to ensure an orderly re-entry and to enforce road blocks in areas where Evacuation Orders are still in effect.  When returning home, be cautious in your neighborhood and watch out for:

 

·         Charred power poles and trees that may be unstable and fall.

·         Live power lines lying on the ground.

·         Small fires that may flare up without warning.

·         Ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.

 

Interior Health provides useful information for residents returning to their homes.  It deals with exposure to smoke from forest fires, food safety, water quality and septic tanks and disposal fields:

 

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Forest-Fires.aspx

 

The public is to stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety. 

 

BC Wildfire Management Branch says the fire is 260 hectares in size and 50% contained. Fires contained within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and be visible for several weeks.  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 20and reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 21.  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. 

 

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.

 

- 30 –