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UPDATE 1:20 p.m.
This is the final update of the night on Mount Law Wildfire.
Crews from across the region will fight the flames and work overnight to protect homes.
The next update on this fire will be on Castanet at 6:30 am
Any changes to evacuation orders or warnings prior to this time will be posted on the Central Okanagan Regional District Emergency Operations page here.
UPDATE 12:45 p.m.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says the Mount Law wildfire is still a “dynamic and evolving situation.”
Additional evacuation warnings have now been issued for 60 properties, including some in Peachland and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO), as follows:
- 4305 to 4495 Maxwell Road
- 5039 to 5051 Trepanierhof
- 4965 to 4975 Freundeshof
- 4715 to 5078 Paradise Valley Drive
- 4414 to 4690 Trepanierstrasse
- 4995 Trepanierstrasse
- 4850 to 5090 MacKinnon Road
All previous evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
Photo: CORD
UPDATE 11:45 p.m.
Trees burn as the forest fire at Mount Law slowly drifts down the hill above Glenrosa.
Despite the cooler temperatures that came with dark, the fire still burns very hot, as seen on a Castanet livestream.
Urban firefighters from across the Okanagan Valley are now in West Kelowna to assist with the fire fighting.
UPDATE 11:10 p.m.
Evacuation warnings have been extended beyond the Glenrosa area due to the Mount Law forest fire.
Additional alerts have now been issued for 226 properties in the area west of Glen Canyon and Goats Peak, including 3801 Gellatly Road south (north end) to 300 Seclusion Bay Rd (south end), bringing the total number of Evacuation Alerts to approximately 1,900.
The evacuation order issued on Sunday evening for approximately 460 properties includes all properties east of Gates Road. to Glenrosa Road. Residents with evacuation orders should leave their homes immediately.
All other properties in the Glenrosa district are still on evacuation alert. A map of the affected areas is here.
The Central Okanagan Regional Unit has moved its Emergency Assistance Services (ESS) reception center for the Mount Law Forest Fire to Mount Boucherie Secondary, 2751 Cameron Road.
Evacuees must check in there for assistance.
Photo: COSAR
A reception center for evacuees at Mount Boucherie Secondary
UPDATE 10:45 PM
The Mount Law forest fire looming over Glenrosa is now estimated at 200 acres.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is the responsibility of West Kelowna Fire Rescue, but they are assisting with 11 wildland firefighters and several heavy equipment.
In a post on Facebook, the West Kelowna Fire Department said they were “hands on deck”.
Local fire brigades patrol and extinguish punctual fires from the embers and work together with provincial fire brigades and the police in “helping with evacuations and building protection”.
“We understand that people want to see what happens to the fire. Just PLEASE stay out of the area so that people can be safely evacuated and the police, forestry and West Kelowna firefighters can get their job done, ”the fire department continued.
Photo: Josh Dayman
View of the fire on Mount Law from Glenrosa
UPDATE 9:50 PM
The Central Okanagan Regional Ward has expanded evacuation orders related to the Mount Law forest fire.
The fire has now climbed the hill above Glenrosa and makes the flames clearly visible in the valley below.
“Additional equipment and firefighters are helping from across the Central Okanagan,” said CORD
The evacuation order was extended to all properties east of Gates Road. to Glenrosa Road. Residents with evacuation orders should leave their property immediately.
All other properties in the Glenrosa district are still on evacuation alert. An interactive map of the affected areas can be found here.
Winds at Kelowna Airport are currently SW 28 km / h, in gusts 41 km / h.
UPDATE 9:15 pm
The Central Okanagan Regional Office has now issued an evacuation warning for the entire Glenrosa neighborhood due to the Mount Law forest fire.
“Residents in the region are advised to leave their homes at any time. You should be prepared to be away from home for long periods of time, make arrangements for pets, and pack essentials like medication and important documents, ”the county said.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and RCMP help with missing evacuation orders to houses closer to the wildfire. These residents are asked to leave immediately.
An interactive map of the evacuation order concerned and the alarm areas can be found here.
UPDATE 9:10 PM
The BC Wildfire Service says the Mount Law forest fire is now 40 acres and is growing due to winds.
Ground personnel, air support and assistance from the West Kelowna Fire Department are on site.
RCMP and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue are conducting evacuations in Upper Glenrosa.
UPDATE 8:20 pm
An evacuation order was issued for parts of Upper Glenrosa due to the Mount Law forest fire.
Residents with evacuation orders should leave their homes immediately. The city of West Kelowna has also imposed a local state of emergency.
A full list of addresses for the evacuation order can be found here:
- 4713 MacKinnon Road
- 5000 Glenrosa Road (Bull Mountain Resort – formerly Crystal Mountain Resort)
- 4425 Glenrosa Road (Telemark Nordic Club)
- 3237 to 3530 Carre Road
- 3237 to 3512 Corine Road
- 3372 to 3725 Emerald Street
- 3496 Fentonstrasse
- 3318 to 3475 Gill Road
- 3280 to 3802 Glenrosa Road
- 3301 to 3583 McKellar Road
- 3230 to 3525 Preston Road
- 3325 to 3770 Turnbull Road
A detailed map with the affected properties is available at cordemergency.ca.
“Due to the aggressive fire activity and wind conditions, additional properties are expected to be evacuated and / or placed on alert later on Sunday evening,” Central Okanagan Regional Office said.
At the Jim Lind Arena at 2760 Cameron Road in West Kelowna, an Emergency Room (ESS) for evacuated residents has been set up specifically to address the Mt. Law forest fire.
Evacuees must continue to go to the ESS reception center to obtain the appropriate supplier forms, as special documentation is required to access these services. ESS volunteers are available when needed to assist the affected Central Okanagan residents. Residents evacuated from their homes must report to the reception facility for help and accommodation.
UPDATE 7:50 PM
The BC Wildfire Service named the fire that burns over Highway 97C and Peachland called the Mount Law wildfire.
Five air tankers and helicopters keep hitting the fire from the air.
The Central Okanagan Regional Ward says it will be releasing information soon.
UPDATE 7:15 pm
At least four water tankers hit the wildfire that burns over Peachland and the Okanagan Connector.
Helicopters are also used.
The BC Wildfire Service says hot and dry weather, along with strong winds hitting the region, presents challenges for the first strike teams.
Trees by the fire over Hwy 97C and candlelight and the fire is growing.
UPDATE 6:30 p.m.
Castanet reporter Madison Erhardt says the new forest fire over Peachland is growing rapidly.
The Central Okanagan Regional District said it activated its emergency response center to deal with the situation. More information is expected shortly.
BC Wildfire Service air tankers and helicopters hit the fire. The West Kelowna Fire Department is fighting the flames on the ground.
Castanet will provide more information for you as it becomes available.
Photo: BCWS
UPDATE 6:25 p.m.
The fire has blocked the left, west lane of Highway 97C.
One lane is closed between Hwy 97 and Brenda Mine Road.
DriveBC also reports limited visibility with smoke in the area and advises drivers to expect delays.
# BCHwy97C – Between # BCHwy97 and Brenda Mine Road, when visibility is limited with smoke, a road closure to the west is in effect.
Crews on site. Expect delays.
More information: https://t.co/lEr5WEvVLm#KelownaBC #AspenGroveBC #MerritBC
– DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 16, 2021
UPDATE 5:55 pm
A fire-fighting helicopter has arrived and has started to put out the new fire over Peachland.
UPDATE 5:35 p.m.
BC Wildfire Service’s Charlene Mortensen says the West Kelowna Fire Department is on site and is sending BCWS crews. A BCWS unit should be on site for the next two hours.
ORIGINAL 5:22 p.m.
A new fire has broken out across from the Peachland Visitor Center at the Okanagan Connector.
Heavy smoke and flames are visible.
BC Wildfire is aware of this and is on its way to the crime scene.
A caller who passed said he could see trees burning.
It is currently unclear what triggered the fire.
Castanet has a reporter on site and will provide more details as they become available.
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