The Mount Eneas fire is pictured in this photo on Twitter posted, Wednesday, July 19, 2018.
Image Credit: TWITTER/Sara Lyndsay @_richess
July 19, 2018 - 10:27 AM
PENTICTON - The Mount Eneas fire near Peachland continued to grow last night, resulting in new evacuation orders and alerts from three municipalities.
The lightning-caused interface fire is approximately four kilometres south of Peachland and is estimated at 500 hectares in size, according to B.C. Wildfire Service. Structures are threatened and structural protection units have been deployed to the area.
B.C. Wildfire says there were gusty and erratic winds in the area overnight, and along with Wildfire personnel, members of the Kelowna Fire Department were on site overnight.
There are 22 Wildfire personnel on the fire this morning, July 19, supported by helicopters. Wildfire says more resources are expected to join the fight today and will be focussing their suppression efforts on "increasing containment on the southern end of the fire near Garnet Valley."
The wildfire crossed Highway 97 yesterday evening resulting in evacuation orders for over 40 properties. A local state of local emergency was also declared because the fire is threatening properties on the east and west side of Highway 97 in the vicinity of Greata Ranch.
Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland is open to single lane, alternating traffic with RCMP escort, Drive B.C. says. You can expect delays between one to two hours and the road may be completed closed on short notice. Travellers are encouraged to use alternate routes including Highway 97C, Highway 5A and Highway 3.
Evacuation orders are in place for properties on Brent Road, Highway 97, North Beach Road and Callan Road.
Evacuations alerts have been issued for residents on Garnet Valley Road north of (and including) Wildhorse Road north of Summerland.
Emergency Social Services Reception Centres are open for evacuated residents at 325 Power St. at the Penticton Community Centre and at the Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Dr. in West Kelowna.
Go here for the latest information, evacuation orders and alerts, from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre.
Go here for the latest evacuation orders and alerts from the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen.
Go here for the latest evacuation orders and alerts from the District of Summerland.
For the latest on road closures go to the Drive B.C. website here.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2018