UPDATE 8:10 a.m.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Quilpituk Creek wildfire grew north and west overnight.
As of right now, it remains 40 hectares in size.
“Crews have completed a sprinkler line set up along the powerline on the west flank,” said BCWS. “This morning they will be continuing to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.”
Original
The latest wildfire found in the Central Okanagan, known as the Quilpituk Creek wildfire along Westside Road, is 40 hectares in size and remains out of control on Sunday morning, Aug. 2.
The blaze was discovered in the La Casa area, south of Fintry, around 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1.
As the fire quickly spread on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) issued multiple evacuation orders and alerts, which remain in place.
At 11:45 p.m., all properties north of Nahun and south of La Casa are on evacuation order, meaning the residents at these properties were forced to leave. The affected addresses are:
- 5455 and 5495 Deighton Road;
- 5625, 5875, 6409, 6421, 6433, 6445, 6457, 6469, 6493, 6481 Westside Road.
In the early hours of Sunday, evacuation alerts were also issued to all residents in the La Casa area including, La Casa Lakeside Resort and La Casa Cottages and Ceasar’s Landing. All of these residents must be ready at a moment’s notice to leave. Families are advised to choose a meeting spot outside of the evacuation alert zone should an evacuation order be issued while the family is not all together.
Westside Road is closed northbound due to the Bradley Creek wildfire. Evacuees have to travel south toward West Kelowna.
Emergency Support Services will be available at Westbank Lions Centre at 9 a.m.
Early Sunday morning, Westbank First Nation opened its gym at 1920 Quail Lane for all evacuees Okanagan Indian Band members seeking shelter.
As the blaze was discovered and grew, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and North Westside Fire Department responded to the scene along with a NVIS group, which is a helicopter and one belly tank-capable helicopter.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Additionally, the blaze, wires knocked down, and the windy conditions have caused three power outages in the area, totally 1,475 BCHydro customers without power on Sunday morning.
Black Press Media will update this wildfire throughout the day.