The Keremeos Creek Wildfire, July 31, 2022.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Apex Fire Brigade
August 01, 2022 - 8:30 AM
Properties at the Apex Mountain village near Penticton are being evacuated due to a wildfire burning nearby.
The village has been on evacuation alert since Saturday night and this morning, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued an order for properties within the village.
A reception centre for evacuees has been set up at Princess Margaret Secondary in Penticton on Green Avenue. Evacuees can also register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-585-9559.
More properties within the village have also been placed on an evacuation alert this morning, Aug. 1, including those on Green Mountain Road.
The evacuation order affects close to 400 people, according to a press release from the City of Penticton.
“We advise everyone to follow the order and immediately leave the area and to find a safe location,” said Adam Goodwin, the Emergency Support Services co-ordinator for the City of Penticton, in the news release.
“Staying with family or friends is an option that we would encourage people to use or make other accommodations if you can. This allows us to ensure those with no alternatives are taken care of. No matter which option you choose either come into the ESS or call us. We want to make sure everyone has all the support and information they need and ensure everyone is safe.”
Emergency Support Services is only provided if an evacuee's primary residence is one of the properties under an evacuation order.
The Keremeos Creek wildfire, burning to the southeast of the village, is currently mapped at 437 hectares and is burning out of control.
Green Mountain Road is closed between Apex Mountain Road and Highway 3A due to the wildfire, according to DriveB.C.
B.C. Wildfire Service crews and structure protection crews remained on site overnight.
Yesterday, James Shalman, manager at Apex Mountain Resort, said snow-making machines were set up at strategic locations around the village.
In the summertime, the machines act as sprinklers that can shoot water 200 feet into the air.
A temporary camp for B.C. Wildfire Service firefighters has been set up in Penticton at the Adidas Sportsplex and Kings Park for approximately 100 crew members and apparatus in the next few days to assist in fighting the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
READ MORE: Apex Mountain preparing to use snow-making machines against wildfire
- This story was updated at Aug. 1 at 9:24 a.m. to provide additional information from the City of Penticton.
- This story was updated Aug. 1 at 8:50 a.m. as additional information has been provided regarding evacuation alerts.
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