West Kelowna wildfire: Evacuation order rescinded for 1,900
The Smith Creek wildfire is roughly 50-per-cent contained, and approximately 1,900 people are being allowed to go back to their homes in West Kelowna, B.C., Sunday.
At 11 a.m. PT , the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre announced the evacuation order that had forced 2,500 people from their homes earlier this week had been partially rescinded.
PHOTOS | West Kelowna wildfire crews exhausted, but optimistic
Out of 1,128 homes evacuated Thursday, 906 are now believed to be free of immediate threat and residents are allowed to return to them. An evacuation order remains in effect for 222 homes.
Those going home are asked to be cautious and to watch out for:
Charred power poles or trees, which may be unstable and could fall.
Live power lines on the ground.
Small fires that may flare up without warning.
Ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.
Police will be in the area to enforce order and maintain roadblocks in off-limits neighbourhoods.
The emergency operations centre also said everyone remains on evacuation alert, and should be ready to leave again at a moment's notice.
Jason Luciw, of the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre, said the fire is still not fully contained, and a change in the weather could quickly change the situation on the ground.
"The first thing that we want to let people know is that this remains an active fire," he said. "For example, wind is still in the forecast, and therefore those people living in the immediate interface area, 222 homes, remain under evacuation order."
The evacuee reception centre is being maintained at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School, where residents under evacuation order can seek food and vouchers for hotels and motels.
The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch says the Smith Creek fire is roughly 260 hectares in size, and that fires inside the perimeter will keep burning and will be visible for several weeks.
"Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 911 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation," the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre said.
The Evacuation Order is rescinded but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:
The following properties in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood, including the following roads:
Asquith Road
Bridal Hill Court
Bridal Hill Drive
Copper Ridge Drive
Copper Ridge Court
Copper Ridge Place
Copper Ridge Way
Doucette Drive
Harold Road
Ironridge Place
Ironridge Road
Rhinestone Road
Shetler Drive
Sandberg Road
Sageview Road
Saddleridge Drive
Sugosa Place
Salish Road
Smith Creek Road
Stone Ridge Drive
Summerview Place
Summerview Court
Telcor Place
Twin Place
Whispering Hills Drive
Wild Horse Drive
Properties in the Alexandria Neighbourhood including the following roads:
Alexandria Way
Shannon Lake Road
A portion of the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:
Boulder Lake Boulevard
Cobblestone Road
Pebble Place
Stone Grove Crescent
Tuscany Drive
Tallus Ridge Drive
A portion of the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood including the following roads:
Shannon Woods Drive
Shannon Woods Place
Shannon Woods Way
Shannon Woods Cres
The evacuation order is still in effect for:
Properties in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood including the following roads:
Dixie Road
The following properties in the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood including the following roads:
Big Sky Drive
Mountains Hollow Lane
Paramount Drive
Ryser Place
Tallus Heights Drive
Tallus Green Cres,
Tallus Green Place
The following properties in the Shannon Woods neighbourhood including the following roads:
Shannon Hills Drive
Shannon Hills Place
Shannon Heights Court,
Shannon Heights Place
The evacuation alerts remain in effect for the following areas:
Bartley Road
Lenz Road
Source: www.cordemergency.ca