Beach Avenue in Penticton with the Good Creek wildfire in Okanagan Mountain Park behind.
(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
July 20, 2018 - 12:43 PM
KELOWNA - Overnight winds consistently near 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h from the south have increased the size of the Good Creek wildfire but we don't know how big yet.
B.C. Wildfire update as of 9:45 a.m. shows the fire, visible to most of the Central Okanagan, remained largely stagnant at 400 ha, the same as last night, but further updates are expected today and could show a much larger size. The update is expected to include an attack plan for the day.
In a release this morning, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations called it "a positive night" for crews monitoring the fire and called it "stable" this morning. The B.C. Wildfire Service has 21 personnel, helicopter support and air tankers on standby. Aircraft have struggled in evening winds the last two days, prompting earlier starts for aircraft since flying conditions decrease and become hazardous.
Several properties remain on evacuation alert including 6006 – 8888 Lakeshore Road.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre for evacuated residents is set up at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Dr. in West Kelowna. ESS volunteers are available as of 8:30 a.m. this morning to help affected Central Okanagan residents. Residents that are evacuated from their homes must report to the reception centre to receive any assistance and lodging.
We may be in for some rough weather again today, though, as strong winds shifting north-northwest and potential for a lightning storm today or tonight is possible, according to Environment Canada, but the temperature has dropped to a forecast high of 21 Celsius.
For more information:
B.C. Wildfire regularly updates its webpage on the Good Creek wildfire here.
Go here for the latest information, evacuation orders and alerts, from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre.
For the latest on road closures go to the Drive B.C. website here.
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