Okanagan Centre Fire News Release No. 6

Eight homes on Nighthawk Road, as well as outbuildings on one property on Tyndall Road were lost overnight due to the Okanagan Centre wildfire. Impacted property owners attended a meeting earlier today to receive information and support for moving forward.

Fire crews from across the Okanagan continue to work today on the 55-hectare Okanagan Centre wildfire. The fire is 50 per cent contained by hand guard and surrounded 80 per cent by retardant.

Lake Country fire crews are receiving help today from neighbouring fire departments in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison and Joe Rich.  BC Wildfire Service firefighters, BC Ambulance and the RCMP are also contributing.

The fire was human caused as no lightning was recorded in the area. BC Wildfire Services and the RCMP have an investigation underway.

The Evacuation Order and Alert for the fire remain in place at this time. The Evacuation Order for 331 properties within the Okanagan Centre area includes homes along a section of Okanagan Centre Road West, Nighthawk and Tyndall Roads.  A detailed map showing the properties within the Evacuation Order area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Evacuated residents are requested to register at the Emergency Support Services reception centre if they haven’t done so already.  It’s open at the Salvation Army Church in Kelowna at 1480 Sutherland Avenue to provide assistance and group lodging.

Residents of 657 properties are on Evacuation Alert and must be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change requiring them to leave their homes. A map showing properties within the Evacuation Alert area can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Information is also available via the https://twitter.com/CO_Emerg and https://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency/ For more information contact the Information Office at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).