Smith Creek Fire news release #5 from @CO_emerg

News Release No. 5

Date:     July 17, 2014

Time:    18:45 p.m.

 

West Kelowna, B.C. – The Smith Creek fire has grown to approximately 175-hectares in size.  The fire has not yet been contained. 

 

Fire crews from West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Kelowna and BC Wildfire Management Branch are working to establish guards, contain the fire and protect homes and vital infrastructure in the area.

 

More than 2,500 hundred residents living in approximately 1,100 homes in the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods have now been evacuated due to a fire burning above the Smith Creek Area in West Kelowna.

 

As of 7 p.m., evacuees should report to the Emergency Reception Centre, which has been moved to Mount Boucherie Secondary School at 2751 Cameron Road.   The previous reception centre at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church is closed.

 

While it’s greatly appreciated, Emergency Support Services (ESS) is not requesting donations of food, clothing or other assistance at this time. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response team is working with ESS to arrange accommodation for animals in the Evacuation Order areas.

 

Residents that are being asked to leave their homes should close windows and doors, shut off all gas and electrical appliances except fridges and freezers. Gather family and pets, on leash, and take only key items like wallet, purse, keys and medicine.

 

West Kelowna Mayor and Council have Declared a State of Local Emergency.

 

All residents living west of the Bennett Bridge are asked to limit household water use and shutoff outdoor irrigation use to keep pressure and supply available for emergency crews fighting the fire.

 

New information including maps of evacuations will be released to the public throughwww.cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.

 

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

 

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

·          Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency,  orwww.twitter.com/CO_Emerg  for confirmed information about the situation.

·          Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.

 

 

- 30 -