Though some have been allowed to return home, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen still has a long list of evacuation orders and alerts due to the wildfires burning in the region.
Within the rural RDOS, five properties remain on evacuation order and 92 properties remain under evacuation alert due to the Mount Eneas wildfire, along Highway 97 north of Summerland and the Meadow Valley area north-west of Summerland. The RDOS is continuing to work with BC Wildfire to re-assess the risk to those on evacuation order.
The regional district’s Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring all wildfires within the RDOS. For more information contact the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225 or visit www.rdos.bc.ca.
Within the District of Summerland, 30 properties remain on evacuation order in the northern portion of Garnet Valley due to the Mount Eneas wildfire. An additional 108 properties remain on evacuation alert within the district, in the Garnet Valley area and along Bridgeman Road.
Related: Update:Mount Eneas wildfire holds at 1,374 hectares
An Emergency Social Service reception centre in Summerland is open at the Summerland Curling Club at 8820 Jubilee Rd. East. For more information on the hours of the Summerland Reception Centre or questions about properties within the District of Summerland municipal boundary, visit https://www.summerland.ca or call 250-486-3765.
The Penticton Indian Band declared a local state of emergency on July 18th due to the Mount Conkle wildfire. Homes in the Penticton Indian Band remain on an evacuation alert due to this wildfire, which is burning within the guard.
BC Hydro service has been cut off by the Mount Eneas Wildfire in RDOS Electoral Area “F,” in the vicinity of Faulder and Meadow Valley. Approximately 244 BC Hydro customers are affected by the power outage. When safe to do so, BC Hydro crews will access the area and make plans to repair the damage. Residents without power should be prepared for the outage to continue through the weekend and into early next week.
The EOC is in communication with BC Hydro will provide an update as soon as the information becomes available.
The campground at Okanagan Lake Provincial Park remains under evacuation alert. Other provincial parks in the RDOS are partially affected by wildfire including Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, Cathedral Lake Provincial Park and the Snowy Mountain Protected Area. Please contact BC Parks for information about the parks and campground at 1-800-689-9025.
More information is also available online at the BC Wildfire Service website. To report a wildfire call: 1-800-663-555 or *5555 on your mobile phone.
If your home is under an evacuation order
- Gather your grab-and-go bag with personal items and documents.
- Follow instructions from local officials via TV, radio or social media.
- Move to a safe location outside the impacted area.
- Return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Register with Emergency Social Services (ESS) even if you don’t go to a reception centre.
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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