Update: 1:30p.m. July 15
News Release No. 2 Central Okanagan, B.C. – An Evacuation Alert remains in effect for a portion of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area in the Regional District of Central Okanagan due to the Brenda Creek wildfire.
This area is south of Highway 97-C (Okanagan Connector) and northwest of Peachland and is mostly rural Crown land.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre continues to support the BC Wildfire Service, BC Hydro and other agencies in responding to this wildfire.
The EOC team is working on advance planning in the event of any potential interruption in electrical service for those in nearby Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation reserves #9 and #10 and areas serviced by BC Hydro within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.
BC Hydro’s website bchydro.com has information available for residents to check the status of any power outages and how to stay safe during any extended outage.
The Emergency program reminds all Central Okanagan residents that they should know the risks of potential emergencies, make a plan and prepare grab and go kits in the event they are required to leave their homes for at least 72 hours.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website, cordemergency.ca, is a centralized location for regional public emergency and preparedness information, including links to useful provincial and federal emergency resources such as PreparedBC, BC Wildfire Services, Emergency Management BC and Air Quality readings.
Be sure to sign-up for e-updates to receive timely updates directly to your inbox about emergency incidents. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre also provides information on Facebook at facebook.com/CORDEmergency and Twitter at twitter.com/CO_Emerg.
UPDATE: 8:12a.m. July 15
The Brenda Creek wildfire is threatening the only BC Hydro power line servicing West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation.
As a result, the Central Okanagan Regional District has advised residents to "be prepared in the event the wildfire results in any power outrage."
The City of West Kelowna, the regional district and BC Hydro are all monitoring closely.
West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom is meeting with all concerned this morning.
The Brenda Creek fire is currently burning about 40 kilometres from West Kelowna up Highway 97C in the area around Headwater Lakes.
41 properites are under an evacuation order (see below).
UPDATE: 7:00 a.m. July 15
EOC Update: Evacuation ORDER due to the Brenda Creek wildfire in Electoral Area “H”
Pursuant to the Emergency Program Act, an Evacuation ORDER has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) due to immediate danger to life safety due to the Brenda Creek wildfire, south of Brenda Mine wildfire, in Electoral Area “H”.
Central Okanagan Search & Rescue and RCMP will be expediting this action.
The Evacuation Order is in effect for the following addresses:
2701 Peachland FSR
2705 Peachland FSR
114 LYRIC LANE
118 LYRIC LANE
124 LYRIC LANE
100 BLUE GATE LANE
106 BLUE GATE LANE
119 TWILIGHT LANE
111 TWILIGHT LANE
115 TWILIGHT LANE
165 CAMPBELL LANE
150 DAM LANE
116 WHISKEY JACK LANE
128 WHISKEY JACK LANE
155 LUPINE LANE
151 LUPINE LANE
161 CAMPBELL LANE
141 LUPINE LANE
157 CAMPBELL LANE
134 WHISKEY JACK LANE
130 WHISKEY JACK LANE
159 LUPINE LANE
163 LUPINE LANE
171 LUPINE LANE
150 WHISKEY JACK LANE
110 BLUE GATE LANE
173 CAMPBELL LANE
157 CAMPBELL LANE
146 WHISKEY JACK LANE
175 LUPINE LANE
143 CAMPBELL LANE
145 LUPINE LANE
110 LYRIC LANE
169 CAMPBELL LANE
147 CAMPBELL LANE
120 WHISKEY JACK LANE
142 WHISKEY JACK LANE
138 WHISKEY JACK LANE
167 LUPINE LANE
124 WHISKEY JACK LANE
200 HEADWATERS LANE
All evacuees are asked to register online with the Emergency Support Services (ESS) Evacuee Registration & Assistance tool even if you do not require referrals such as housing or other services.
If you are on vacation in the area, please return home.
Due to a shortage of hotel accommodations, please consider making arrangements to stay with family or friends if possible.
ORIGINAL: 6:31 p.m. July 14
A wildfire has ignited south of the connector near Brenda Creek.
BC Wildfire Service says the fire is approximately 40 hectares in size and is out of control.
Six personnel, 3 helicopters, airtanker support and additional resources responding to the fire.