Shelter Cove Westside Road News Release 16

Shelter Cove Fire, 2015

The cooler temperatures overnight was welcomed by those fighting the Shelter Cove-Westside Road wildfire.

The BC Wildfire Service monitored the blaze which is estimated at 460-hectares.

In the interest of public safety, the Evacuation Order for the Shelter Cove/Westside Road wildfire remains in effect for approximately 70 properties along Westside Road.

Those within the Evacuation area are along Westside Road from Denison Road north to La Casa Resort (but not including La Casa), as well as the following roads: Denison Road, Shelter Cove Road and Deighton Road.

Incident Command will determine today’s plan of attack and the most effective deployment of resources to continue fighting this active fire.

Emergency officials are constantly assessing possible changes in the status of the Evacuation Order based on a variety of conditions including fire behaviour, weather and degree of containment.  The inconvenience and stress posed to those people forced from their accommodation and homes is always top of mind.  Any change to the Evacuation Order will be made only when it is safe to do so.

There are no Evacuation Alerts associated with this fire. Neither La Casa Resort nor Lake Okanagan Resort are under the Evacuation Order or an Alert at this time.

RCMP members continued security patrols in the evacuation area through the night.

The Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre will open again this morning at 8:30 a.m.

ESS advises that if and when the Evacuation Order is lifted and affected residents are able to return home, the referral forms that have been issued will become null and void, regardless of the expiry date.

Westside Road remains closed between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort.  Westside Road remains open in both directions from the north to La Casa Resort and from the south to the closure at Cinnabar Creek.  For the latest road information, visit the Drive BC website at drivebc.ca

For visitors planning their holiday in the Central Okanagan:

  • The fire area is located approximately 17 kilometres northwest of downtown Kelowna. The City of Kelowna and City of West Kelowna are located well away from the actual fire scene.
  • All weekend events in Kelowna and the Central Okanagan are proceeding as originally scheduled.
  • Roads in the Kelowna and West Kelowna area remain open are not affected by the Shelter Cove fire, except for a portion of Westside Road between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort.
  • Visitors with respiratory concerns can monitor air quality at bcairquality.ca

It is anticipated that the next update will be available after 10:00 a.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the fire, visit cordemergency.ca.