July 21 8:10 a.m.
The evacuation order for the active Shelter Cove fire remains in effect for approximately 70 homes along Westside Road.
The fire, believed to have started by lightning, is now 30 hectares in size, burning in a rural residential area on the west side of Okanagan Lake between the Lake Okanagan Resort to the south and La Casa Resort to the north.
Properties affected by the evacuation order include those from 3985 Westside Road north to La Casa Resort (but not including La Casa) and the following roads: Denison Road, Shelter Cove Road, Central Okanagan Road and Deighton Road.
The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre located in the Westside Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main St., in West Kelowna will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Only those residents within the evacuation order area should register for assistance by ESS volunteers with food, lodging and clothing needs.
As well, volunteers with the Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team (CDART) are on hand to help evacuees that have animals or may call 250-809-7152 for assistance.
The fire is being fought by North Westside structural firefighters and ground crews from the BC Wildfire Service. It’s anticipated there will be air support provided and boaters are asked to stay clear of the Shelter Cove area on Okanagan Lake to allow air crews to safely take on water.
At this point in fighting the active fire, there are no structures known to be lost.
There are no evacuation alerts associated with this fire. Neither La Casa Resort or Lake Okanagan Resort are affected or under the Evacuation Order or Alert.
Westside Road is still closed between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort. For the latest road information please visit the Drive BC website, www.drivebc.ca.
It’s anticipated the next update will be after 10:30am.
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Midnight
An evacuation order is being prepared and a tactical evacuation is underway for Westside Road residences and oroperties between La Casa and Lake Okanagan Resort.
BC Wildfire Service and Wilson’s Landing Fire Department crews are on the scene fighting a forest fire which is believed to have been ignited Monday by lightning and flared up Tuesday afternoon by the onslaught of gusty winds.
Residents from the following addresses in the Shelter Cove subdivision are being evacuated by the RCMP: 4401 to 4163 Westside Road.
These residents have been asked to report to the Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna. Volunteers were on hand as of 11:30 p.m. to assist evacuated residents with food, lodging and clothing needs.
As well, an evacuation alert is in place for residents and properties along Denison Road along with Camp Mewata and Caesars Landing. Those residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should the evacuation order be expanded.
The Emergency Operation Centre has been activated to support crews in the field responding to this latest forest fire, which erupted at the same time the BC Wildlife Service had brought the nearby Bear Creek Fire under control.
The Capital News will have further updates later this morning. To stay updated for all local forest fires as they occur, go to www.cordemergency.ca
