Smith Creek Fire news release #7 from @CO_emerg

News Release No. 7

Date:     July 17, 2014

Time:    22:45 p.m.

 

West Kelowna, B.C. – BC Wildfire Management Branch has estimated the Smith Creek fire is approximately 200-hectares in size.

 

Fire fighters from West Kelowna, Peachland, Kelowna and Lake Country along with BC Wildfire Management crews are patrolling the fire area throughout the night and responding to any hot spots that might occur.

During the overnight hours, residents may see bright fires burning related to the Smith Creek fire.  Please do not call 9-1-1 to report this activity related to this particular fire as fire crews are remaining on the scene overnight and are aware of the fire.

 

Throughout the night, RCMP members are conducting roving patrols to provide security in those areas that have been evacuated.

 

An Evacuation Alert remains in effect for approximately 150 properties from 1898 to 2515 Bartley Road and Lenz Road (including Pinewood Villa Mobile Home Park) in West Kelowna.  These people should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice in the event the fire expands and an Evacuation Order is required.

 

An estimated 2,500 residents from almost 1,100 homes remain under an Evacuation Order in the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Alexandria Way and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods.

 

A detailed map showing streets and addresses affected by the Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Orders can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca.

 

Residents who reside within the evacuation area are asked to register in person with Emergency Support Services reception centre, located in Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna.  ESS volunteers are providing registration services throughout the night.  Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) volunteers are providing support for those residents requiring assistance.

 

All residents on the west side of Okanagan Lake from Peachland, West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation reserves are encouraged to make personal emergency preparations to ensure they are self-sustaining in the event that there is a loss of  electricity for an extended period and that they have enough water for each member of their family.

 

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.

 

 

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