UPDATE: More evacuation alerts near Summerland for Mount Eneas wildfire | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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UPDATE: More evacuation alerts near Summerland for Mount Eneas wildfire

Mount Eneas wildfire as seen from Highway 97C near Peachland the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2018
Original Publication Date July 20, 2018 - 11:31 AM

UPDATE: Another 49 properties were put on evacuation alert today by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

The list, issued at 5 p.m., includes residents of Fish Lake Road, Meadow Valley Road, Osborne Road, Relkey Road and Savanna Road. Go here for a full list of all properties affected.

The Mount Eneas wildfire, about four kilometres south of Peachland, is still about 1,000 hectares and is being described by emergency officials as stable this morning.

The lightning-caused blaze was discovered on Tuesday, July 17, and is still listed as out of control by B.C. Wildfire.

B.C. Wildfire says there are 40 firefighters on the ground this morning, July 20. One crew will continue building a hand guard along the south flank of the fire, while the other crew will be on the north flank.

Helicopters will be supporting the firefighters on the ground with bucketing operations today with air tankers on standby ready to deploy if necessary.

Aircraft have started working the fire earlier in the day because around 6 p.m. the winds have been picking up making flights close to the blaze hazardous, Wildfire says.

Over 650 properties and over 1,700 people are currently on evacuation alert. Last night, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre ordered residents at three properties on Log Cute Road to leave for their own safety and that order has now been downgraded to an evacuation alert so residents have been alllowed to return home.

A detailed map indicating all affected properties can be found here.

A local state of emergency has also been declared for Peachland and Central Okanagan Regional District Area West.

Highway 97 from Summerland to Peachland has fully reopened to traffic.

The weather is changing in the Okanagan with clouds, a 40 per cent chance of showers and a high of around 21 Celsius forecast. The wind is expected to be out of the northwest at 20 km/h today. There is a risk of thundersstorms this afternoon and early evening before skies clear, the wind dies down and the temperature drops to around 9 C overnight.

A smoky skies bulletin issued earlier this week by Enviroment Canada is still in effect for the Okanagan.

For more information:

B.C. Wildfire regularily updates its webpage on the Mount Eneas wildfire here.

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.

For the latest information on air quality go here.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander or call 250-309-5343 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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