Wildfires force evacuations in Central Okanagan
By Nelson Daily Staff
The first major wildfire concerns in BC are happening now in the Central Okanagan after a recent lightning storm started some major fires around Peachland, Summerland and Kelowna.
The more than 1,000 hectare Mount Eneas wildfire, located four kilometers south of Peachland, sparked the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre to issue evacuation alerts for 596 properties south of Princeton Avenue east to Highway 97.
The approximately 1,490 residents living within this large area of Peachland should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice for an extended period of time due to the potential threat from wildfires burning south of the municipality.
Meanwhile, in the upper Glenrosa area of the City of West Kelowna, the Law Creek wildfire has forced an evacuation order for 198 properties.
Approximately 495 residents affected by this new Alert, should be ready to leave their homes on short notice for an extended period of time because of the potential threat from the blaze. The BC Wildfire Service estimates this fire is about eight hectares in size.
An Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Drive in West Kelowna will reopen this morning at 8:30 to help affected residents on Evacuation Order.
In order to receive any assistance and lodging from ESS volunteers affected residents must report and register at the reception centre.
