Emergency officials have issued an evacuation order for properties threatened by the Quilpituk Creek wildfire and an evacuation alert for the Blue Grouse Creek wildfire as crews continue responding to multiple fires in the Central Okanagan.
The evacuation order applies to properties north of Nahun and south of La Casa. Residents under the order are told to leave immediately and evacuate to the south.
The order covers 5455 and 5495 Deighton Rd and 5625, 5875, 6409, 6421, 6433, 6445, 6457, 6469, 6481 and 6493 Westside Rd.
Residents can confirm whether their property is affected by using the interactive map at coemergency.ca/map.
A separate evacuation alert has also been issued for the Blue Grouse Creek wildfire, located near Bear Creek Main.
The alert covers Baird, Bancroft, Banff, Blue Grouse Mountain, Bolton, Browse, Siemens and Traders Cove roads, Edith and Heldon courts, Bear Lake Road from Westside Road to Bald Range Creek and portions of Westside Road North from Bear Creek Provincial Park to 2171 Westside Rd. North. Emergency officials advise residents to check the interactive map to determine whether their property is included. (Editors’ note: The source release appears to contain a formatting error in the affected address list. Confirm the official map before publication.)
Residents in the alert area are advised to prepare to leave on short notice by gathering essential items, arranging transportation and accommodation, making plans for pets and livestock and monitoring official updates. They should wait for an evacuation order before leaving unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel.
People who require evacuation support are encouraged to register through the provincial Emergency Support Services online system at ess.gov.bc.ca. An Emergency Support Services reception centre is operating at the Westbank Lions Community Centre in West Kelowna to assist wildfire evacuees.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management also said a power outage affecting the Killiney Beach area has disrupted the local water utility. Residents served by the system are asked to conserve water until power is restored.
Officials are asking the public to avoid both wildfire areas so emergency crews can work safely and to call 911 only in an emergency.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to support the response alongside BC Wildfire Service crews.
The latest evacuation information and interactive maps are available at coemergency.ca, while wildfire information is available from the BC Wildfire Service.
