UPDATE: 7:40 p.m.
It will be another night away from home for residents who have fled the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
The evacuation order for the 2,218 properties and evacuation alerts for three properties in the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire area will remain in place overnight, says Central Okanagan Emergency Management.
“The Quilpituk Creek Wildfire is a reminder of the importance of community readiness in a fast-moving event. Tactical evacuations may be necessary prior to any official notification from the Emergency Operations Centre if conditions are critical to life safety and well-being. Residents should be well prepared, particularly in wildfire interface areas,” Central Okanagan Emergency Management in a Sunday evening press release.
Some overnight support services have been made available for evacuees.
Westbank First Nation’s Sensisyusten House of Learning (1920 Quail Lane) is welcoming evacuees and OKIB members overnight who have been impacted by the Quilpituk Creek blaze.
Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Road) is welcoming all evacuees impacted by the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire overnight for group lodging. RVs and trailers can park at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Road) overnight and access services at Royal LePage Place.
Overnight support sites are equipped with snacks, water, limited sleeping cots, washroom facilities and first aid. Security patrolled parking is available on site.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) services will be open tonight at the Westbank Lions Hall (2466 Main St) until 9 p.m. for those who require assistance registering or additional services such as food, clothing or other incidentals.
Refer to the Central Okanagan Emergency Management’s website for the latest news releases and check the coemergency.ca/map to search by street address to determine if you are under an evacuation order or alert.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is currently 200 hectares in size and burning out of control.
UPDATE: 3:00 p.m.
Further evacuation orders have been issued for properties south of the Okanagan Indian Band’s Reserve 1 to north of Nahun as the Quilpituk Creek wildfire continues to burn.
The following addresses are included in the updated evacuation order:
The following addresses are included in this EVACUATION ORDER:
- Alder Drive
- 11100 Antler Road
- 801 Beau Park Road
- Bluebird Drive
- Bouleau Lake Road
- Cedar Drive
- Columbia Way
- Crown Crescent
- Dogwood Drive
- Evergreen Way
- 840 and 980 Gates Road
- 598 Hemlock Drive
- Hillcrest Way
- Hillside Drive
- Lakewood Road
- Larch Road
- Maple Drive
- Morningside Drive
- Mountain Drive
- Northern View Drive
- Pinecrest Road
- Spruce Drive
- Valley Drive
- Westshore Estates
- Westshore Road
- 10358, 10377, 10418 Westside
- 10780, 11140 Whiteman Creek Road
- 790 Whiteman Creek Forest Service Road
Residents under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately to keep safe. Evacuees can travel south via Westside Road, and are asked to follow instructions of emergency personnel and traffic control in the area.
“At this time, no structures are immediately threatened. Westside Road from Nahun northward is restricted to emergency vehicles and those needing to evacuate,” the Central Okanagan Emergency Management said.
To determine the evacuation order area click here.
Those needing support during an evacuation are encouraged to create a profile online at ESS.gov.bc.ca. An Emergency Social Services reception/muster centre is being set up at Westbank Lions Community Centre located at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.
UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.
As the Quilpituk Creek wildfire continues to burn along Westside Road, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan is issuing another evacuation order.
Properties in the Central Okanagan West E.A. Killiney Beach area are now under an evacuation order. Those living in the area should leave their residences immediately to keep safe. The evacuation route is south on Westside Road and follow the instructions of emergency personnel and traffic control in the area, stated the Central Okanagan Emergency Management
This alert will remain in effect until further notice.
With the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek wildfires burning to the north and south of this region, evacuations are currently underway to ensure safe passage through the fire area. At this time, no structures are immediately threatened. Westside Road from Nahun northward is restricted to emergency vehicles and those needing to evacuate.
To determine the evacuation order area click here.
Those needing support during an evacuation are encouraged to create a profile online at ESS.gov.bc.ca. An Emergency Social Services reception/muster centre is being set up at Westbank Lions Community Centre located at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is estimated at 80 hectares and burning rank 3 and 4, or a moderate to highly vigorous surface blaze and flames can be seen climbing up into the crown of the trees.
BC Wildfire Service has 10 personnel responding to the incident along with two helicopters.
UPDATE: 1:28 p.m.
Evacuation orders have been issued for properties in the lower Fintry, Valley of the Sun and Ewings Landing neighbourhoods due to the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
The following addresses are included in this evacuation order:
- Alpine Road
- Attenborough Road
- Balsam Road
- Beachwood Road
- Briarwood Road
- Elliot Road
- Ewings Landing Road
- Fintry Delta Road except 7142 and 7174 that are on evacuation order
- Firwood Road
- Kenyon Road
- Morden Road
- Nerie Road
- 6950, 6900, 7000, 7100 Shalal Road
- Shorts Road
- Shorts Creek
- 7875, 7919, 7951, 7981, 8015, 8039, 8055, 8063, 8219, 8255, 8285, 8375, 8415, 8624, 8645, 8668, 8669, 8681, 8693, 8700N, 8705, 8725, 8755, 8765, 8775, 8805, 8815,
8825, 8865, 8875 Westside Road - Wood Road
Residents under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately. The evacuation route is south on Westside Road, and evacuees are asked follow instructions of emergency personnel and traffic control.
Access to Westside Road from Nahun to La Casa are restricted to emergency crews and evacuees.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Management (COEM) that no structures are immediately threatened at this time.
COEM has an online map of areas under evacuation alerts and orders.
UPDATE: 12:42 p.m.
The North Fintry neighbourhood to the border of the Okanagan Indian Band land are now on evacuation alert due to the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Management has a map of the area covered by the alert.
“Residents in the evacuation alert area are advised to remain prepared for potential changes in conditions and pending updates from emergency officials. At this time, do not self-evacuate or get into your vehicle unless specifically directed to do so, as unnecessary travel can contribute to congestion and hinder emergency response operations. Instead, use this time to prepare your emergency kit, gather essential medications, important documents, pet supplies, and other necessities that you may need if an evacuation order is issued,” Central Okanagan Emergency Management said.
Access to Westside Road from Nahun to La Casa has been restricted to the public and is only available to emergency crews and evacuees.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Management listed the following steps to take under an evacuation alert:
- Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.
- Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
- Prepare to move persons with disabilities, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.
- Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).
- Arrange transportation for all your household members.
- Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
- Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.
- Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating.
- Monitor coemergency.ca for information on evacuation orders and the location of Reception/Muster Centres.
- Pre-register for Emergency Support Services online. With high volumes of people needing service, people needing support during an evacuation are encouraged to create a profile online at ESS.gov.bc.ca to receive faster service. People who have created a profile can log into the online self-service registration tool to receive instructions on the types of support available and how they can be accessed.
UPDATE: 12:18 p.m.
The Quilpituk wildfire is now listed at double the size since it was last updated.
The blaze, which was discovered on Aug. 1 and is suspected to be human caused, is now listed at 80 hectares in size according to the BC Wildfire Service BCWS.
“The wildfire is burning rank 3 and 4 at the head of the fire, this means a moderate to highly vigorous surface fire and flames climbing up into the crown of the trees,” BCWS said.
It added that the fire is growing to the northwest, being driven by slope.
BCWS has responded to the fire deploying 10 firefighters and two helicopters.
Throughout the morning on Aug. 2, crews worked to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducted danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.
Crews are also deployed on the south and east flanks and are being supported by helicopters.
BCWS said airtankers and skimmers may tend to the fire throughout the day as visibility and objectives allow them to.
Evacuation orders are in place for the following properties in the La Casa area:
Barcelona Drive
Dunwaters Road
Fair Bridge Road
7142 and 7174 Fintry Delta Road
Fintry Estates
Gray Road
Kelly Place
La Palma Loop
Madrid Way
Marbella Loop
Muir Road
Sante Fe Way
Santiago Loop
Shalal Road
Toledo Drive
Terazona Drive
Valencia Way
Verona Loop
6808, 7080, 7100, 7110, 7190, 7200, 7210, 7260, 7290, 7355 Westside Road.
UPDATE: 11:31 a.m.
An evacuation order has been issued for the La Casa area as the Quilpituk wildfire continues to burn.
Properties under evacuation orders should leave the area immediately.
The following addresses are listed under the evacuation order:
Barcelona Drive
Dunwaters Road
Fair Bridge Road
7142 and 7174 Fintry Delta Road
Fintry Estates
Gray Road
Kelly Place
La Palma Loop
Madrid Way
Marbella Loop
Muir Road
Sante Fe Way
Santiago Loop
Shalal Road
Toledo Drive
Terazona Drive
Valencia Way
Verona Loop
6808, 7080, 7100, 7110, 7190, 7200, 7210, 7260, 7290, 7355 Westside Road.
A map by Central Okanagan shows the current area under evacuation orders and alert.
The public is asked to take the following measures:
If you are not in the area, avoid the area.
Leave the area immediately heading south on Westside Road
Take your 72-hour kit and any critical items (medicine, purse, wallet and keys) only.
Once you have safely evacuated, check in at a reception centre. This can be done online – ESS.gov.bc.ca or at the Westbank Lions Community Centre in West Kelowna.
Listen to local news stations for information and watch for further updates.
Follow the directions of local authorities.
Do not call 911 for information or updates.
The out-of-control blaze is still listed at 40 hectares in size according to BC Wildfire, who are 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 on Aug. 2.
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.