Photo: Kate Harper~McGregor
A helicopter collecting water from Ford Lake while attacking the Keremeos Creek wildfire near Apex Mountain
UPDATE 11:30 p.m
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has also issued evacuation alerts for 25 properties around the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
Rural properties include some addresses on Green Mountain Road, Apex Mountain Road, Sheep Creek Road on Highway 3A. Here’s a map and a full list of affected addresses.
Here is a map and list of addresses about the evacuation order.
Homeowners on assessment alert should pack their bags and be ready to leave on short notice.
Penticton and District Search and Rescue is assisting with sending out evacuation notices.
Photo: RDOS
UPDATE: 10:30 p.m
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation order for several properties near Green Mountain Road in the vicinity of Ford Lake due to the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
A full list and map of properties affected by the alert and evacuation order is available on the RDOS website.
The Evacuation Order is in effect for the following areas: Green Mountain Road between Highway 3A south and Apex Mountain Road south and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake.
For properties under an evacuation order, the RDOS said search and rescue teams and the RCMP will notify residents. For phone support from ESS, call 250-486-1890
Due to a shortage of commercial/hotel accommodation over the long weekend, the EOC said residents should consider making arrangements to stay with family or friends if possible and bring pets with you if it’s possible.
If you need transportation assistance, call the RDOS EOC at 250-490-4225
Visit the RDOS EOC website for resource links and information updates here.
A map of the affected properties can be found below.
Photo: RDOS
UPDATE: 9:50 p.m
The Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District Emergency Operations Center has been activated due to the Keremeos Creek Wildfire.
The EOC says they are monitoring conditions and encourages residents to follow local media, the BC Wildfire Service and their EOC page for updates.
BCWS has made the Keremeos Creek Wildfire a Featured Wildfire. Information can be found online here.
The fire “is exhibiting aggressive fire behavior,” BCWS said.
The wildfire is still estimated at 100 hectares and the cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation.
UPDATE: 8:40 p.m
Fire crews continue to battle the Keremeos Creek wildfire, which is still seen at 100 hectares after it flared Friday afternoon outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain.
BC’s wildfire service has 10 personnel and two helicopters on scene, with additional personnel and a structure protection unit en route to the interior location.
Apex Volunteer Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Graeme Lindsay took to a local Facebook page to let the community know the area was not currently in danger.
“The smoke we are seeing from Apex is a new wildfire on the slopes of Green Mountain Road. The fire does not currently pose a threat to the Apex community. Resources have been assigned and we (Apex Fire Rescue) We’ll keep everyone informed.” he said
Residents noted on social media that the fire appears to be moving away from Apex.
BCWS hopes to have an update within the next hour.
Photo: Pim Van Velzen
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UPDATE: 7:40 p.m
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Keremeos Creek wildfire, which has grown rapidly since it broke out Friday afternoon outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain.
The wildfire is about 21 km southwest of Penticton. BCWS said the wildfire is estimated at 100 hectares.
Ten personnel and two helicopters are on site, and additional personnel and a structure protection unit are en route to the interior location.
“This wildfire is in terrain inoperable for tanker and heavy machinery support at this time,” BCWS said.
Photo: BCWS
UPDATE: 7:07 p.m
Eight personnel and two helicopters from the BC Wildfire Service are on the scene of a wildfire outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain.
Fire Information Officer Aydan Coray said additional personnel were en route.
The fire is currently estimated at eight hectares in size and is believed to have started in the late afternoon.
BCWS hopes to have another update in the next hour.
ORIGINAL: 5:45 p.m
The BC Wildfire Service has a helicopter on the scene of a wildfire outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain Friday afternoon.
Fire Information Officer Aydan Coray said three aircraft are en route and once resources arrive on scene, BCWS will have a little more information on what they are seeing in the area.
The approximate location of the new fire is near Keremeos Creek, off Green Mountain Road and Ford Lake.
Castanet will update this story as more information becomes available.
If you have pictures or videos, send them to [email protected]
Photo: BCWS