Evacuation alerts remain in effect overnight for Knox Mountain Fire
Kelowna, B.C. – Kelowna, B.C. – Evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts and will remain in effect for properties in Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton areas.
City of Kelowna has closed Knox Mountain Park until further notice.
The wildfire remains active and is being monitored by BC Wildfire and Kelowna fire crews. People may notice a lot of smoke and some visible flames coming from the active fire area as crews continue working overnight to fight the blaze.
The fuel mitigation work undertaken in Knox Mountain Park by the City of Kelowna, with the support of the province help to decrease the severity of the fire. Today's weather conditions created severe risk with the combination of heat, low humidity and high winds.
“Fire personnel on the ground feel that the fuel mitigation work kept the fire on the ground and out of the trees,” said Mac Logan, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre. “Crews were able to safely and effectively suppress and contain the fire before it affected nearby homes.”
Residents on Evacuation Alert should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Some things to get ready include gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacuation plan including a plan for pets and animals, having a full tank of gas in the car and a 72-hour emergency kit. Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared for more tips on how to get ready.
A map showing the list of roads and properties under evacuation alert can be viewed at cordemergency.ca/map.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
- Avoid the Knox Mountain area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
- Please only call 911 in case of emergency
- For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
- Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
- A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)
The next update will be midday Sunday.
