Yates Road fire under control; precautionary evacuation alerts remain in place

News Release No. 3 Kelowna, B.C.  – Fire crew officials with the Kelowna Fire Department have the Yates Road fire in Kelowna under control at this time. It is in mop-up stage, which means fire crews are going through the area thoroughly looking for hotspots to ensure they are all extinguished with water. Conditions could still change, depending on weather such as wind.

As a precautionary measure, the evacuation alert for the 933 properties in the Wilden area (access via Rio Drive, Upper Canyon Drive and Union Road) are still in effect until further notice. A map showing the list of roads and properties under evacuation alert can be viewed at cordemergency.ca/map.

An evacuation alert means that residents should get prepared and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, but they still have access to their home and property.

Some things to get ready when on alert includes gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacutation 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.

Emergency personel continues actioning the fire and there are 19 firefighters from the Kelowna Fire Department on scene today. We appreciate the swift support received from BC Wildfire Service and air support yesterday, but no support is needed from them today.

Conditions in the region remain hot and dry and there is a high to extreme fire hazard region-wide.

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 on social media via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency.