Firefighters from all over B.C. are helping Penticton prepare for a possible advancement of the Christie Mountain wildfire this morning, Aug. 21, 2020.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

Penticton residents on the city’s southern fringe are spending an anxious day waiting as gusty winds threaten to expand the Christie Mountain wildfire.

The corner of Evergreen Drive and Penrose Crescent was a hive of activity this morning, Aug. 21, as firefighters made preparations for a possible advance of the fire front into the area.

Hose lines were set up at the end of Evergreen Drive as the firefighters – who have come from around the province to assist – prepare.

The street was also filled with nervous residents watching the action, all of whom are on evacuation notice.

Scott Barber watched the firefighters preparing at the end of the street this morning. 

“It’s alarming, kind of hairy, seeing all these guys makes it more real than it was,” he says. “I don’t know if you’re ever ready to go, but we’ve packed up stuff that’s important, and yes, we’re ready to go.”

Terri Trip, an Evergreen Drive resident, said she was very concerned about today’s high winds.

“It will depend on Mother Nature. We’re ready, we’ve practised Fire Smart around our home. We put our faith in these guys, they’re all here helping us,” she says.

Hai Pham is also an Evergreen Drive resident. He said he was “very concerned” about the wind change.

“We are ready to go, happy to see the firefighters here. We’re hoping for the best,” he says.

Nearby, resident Tony Whiles said he was all ready to go if necessary.

“If we’ve got to have a wind, it’s probably coming from the right direction, it’s a southwesterly and it’s going to hopefully blow back behind us. With all the cavalry here, I think we’re extremely well protected, it’s awesome to see all these different fire departments here, fire trucks from all over,” he says.

“I’ve lived this experience before in Naramata. Now we wait, Whiles says.

A fire hose is laid out in preparation for advancing flames.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

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