UPDATE: 3:00 p.m.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management (COEM) is urging residents to follow the evacuation orders due to the Quilpituk Creek wildfire burning near Westside Road.
COEM said it is aware that some residents have decided to remain in areas currently under order to evacuate and that anyone choosing to stay must evacuate immediately.
“If you are in an evacuation order area, leave now. An evacuation order is not a suggestion. It is a life-safety measure,” said COEM on Friday afternoon in a written statement to Black Press Media.
COEM is asking residents to follow the evacuation route south on Westside Road and to follow the instructions of emergency personnel and traffic control.
“Evacuation orders are issued when there is a risk to life and safety. They are based on current and anticipated conditions and are intended to ensure residents can leave safely while egress routes remain viable,” said COEM.
“Choosing to remain in an evacuation order area puts yourself, your family and first responders at risk. While crews continue to make progress on the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, conditions can change quickly.”
Windy weather is in the forecast in some areas over the coming days, which may increase wildfire activity near Westside Road.
Residents should not assume they will have enough time to evacuate if conditions get worse.
COEM said wildfire activity, road closures, damaged infrastructure and safety concerns can limit or prevent access for paramedics, firefighters, police and other responders.
Three evacuation orders and one evacuation alert remain in place for the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
The blaze remains at 1,139 hectares and burning out of control.
UPDATE 9:12 a.m.
An additional two firefighters have been added to help fight the Okanagan wildfires on Friday morning.
The Bradley Creek wildfire complex, which also includes the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, now has 176 firefighters on scene.
On Friday, temperatures will range from 26°C to 31°C and minimum relative humidity values between 25-26 per cent with light southeast winds.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) states that the “thermal trough” will slide to the east of the fire zone in the early evening and will generate increased gustiness and downslope winds. Because of this, the winds might shift northerly.
The blaze is still an estimated 1,139 hectares in size.
All evacuation orders and alerts remain in place at this time.
UPDATE 9:12 a.m.
An additional two firefighters have been added to help fight the Okanagan wildfires on Friday morning.
The Bradley Creek wildfire complex, which also includes the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, now has 176 firefighters on scene.
On Friday, temperatures will range from 26°C to 31°C and minimum relative humidity values between 25-26 per cent with light southeast winds.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) states that the “thermal trough” will slide to the east of the fire zone in the early evening and will generate increased gustiness and downslope winds. Because of this, the winds might shift northerly.
The blaze is still an estimated 1,139 hectares in size.
All evacuation orders and alerts remain in place at this time.
Original
Despite a blanket of smoke helping to decrease fire activity at the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, some increased activity occurred on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6.
In its 9 p.m. update on Thursday night, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) stated Rank 1 and 2 fire behaviour was observed throughout the day due to the “widespread smoke” from other fires across the province. However, windy conditions picked up in the afternoon, causing increased fire activity at the southern flank of the blaze.
Along the west flank, the fire perimeter burned up to established containment lines on Thursday. Crews remain in the area to perform small-scale hand ignitions if conditions allow, to ensure that any pockets of unburnt fuel are removed.
Heavy equipment crews are working to complete control lines, tying into natural features. They are also continuing to daylight the dozer guard from Westside Road, up the entire south flank, tying into a rock bluff.
Due to the heavy smoke blanketing the Okanagan, night vision bucketing operations could not be used Thursday night and into Friday morning.
BCWS and BC Hydro are also working together to clear downed lines and infrastructure impacts.
The blaze is currently an estimated 1,139 hectares in size.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is now part of the Bradley Creek wildfire complex. A BCWS Incident Command Team is managing the fires.
As of Thursday, 174 firefighters, 105 structure protection crews, 12 helicopters, and 40 pieces of heavy equipment in total were battling both blazes.
At this time, all evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Central Okanagan Emergency Management team remain in place.
As of Friday morning, 2,648 properties are on evacuation order, totalling an approximate 6,090 residents. Another 312 properties (718 residents) are on evacuation alert, meaning they must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Westside Road remains closed at Denison Road due to evacuation orders.
The ESS Muster Centre at the Westbank Lions Community Centre (2466 Main Street, West Kelowna) will reopen at 9 a.m. on Friday morning.
Overnight support for evacuees is available at Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Rd.) for group lodging. Security-patrolled parking is available on site. Meanwhile, RVs and trailers can park overnight at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Rd.) and access services through Royal LePage Place.
BCWS reminds residents that flying drones within the wildfire area is strictly prohibited and that boaters should be clear of working aircraft in the wildfire area to not interrupt bucketing operations.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is one of 103 current wildfires in the province. It is suspected to be human-caused.
Black Press Media will remain up to date throughout the day and during the duration of the blaze.