Update 2:51 p.m.
Four properties on Turnbull Road have been downgraded from evacuation order to an alert due to reduced fire activity on the north end of the Mount Law wildfire.
“We saw some rain today in the wildfire area, which has helped the efforts of our fire crews and resulted in a decrease in fire activity,” said West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund in a recent Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) update. “Crews continue to make good progress on the Mount Law wildfire, which remains active and out of control.”
CORD urges residents to be careful of various hazards on private properties as a result of the fire and to stay out of the way of emergency vehicles and crews. They should also be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice, said CORD in a recent update.
Properties downgraded to evacuation alert include:
- 3704 Turnbull Road
- 3724 Turnbull Road
- 3725 Turnbull Road
- 3740 Turnbull Road
The following properties remain on evacuation order:
- 3713 and 3725 Emerald Road
- 3770 Turnbull Road
- 4713 MacKinnon Road
- 3250 Highway 97
An area restriction has also been put in place for public safety reasons. “The public is reminded to maintain a safe distance from the fire and all fire suppression activity,” said CORD.
—
Small, planned, hand ignitions may occur today (Aug. 22) to burn small pockets of fuel between guards and the Mount Law fire around the north, east and west flanks.
Planned ignitions are used to remove a section of bush and the guard to remove existing fuel. These ignitions are used to limit fire growth and are a good way to contain the fire when conditions are right, said fire information officer Luke Robinson.
The fire is still uncontained in some areas and crews are working to contain the fire during this period of mild weather, which is forecast to last the week. The fire will continue to be highly visible throughout the day and overnight.
“We continue to ask that motorists do not stop on the highway to take photos or slow down to take photos as this poses a traffic hazard,” wrote BC Wildfire Service in its latest update.
The incident management team is continually reviewing evacuation orders and alerts and will communicate with partners and local districts with any recommendations. Eighty-two firefighters, 25 heavy equipment, five helicopters and 34 support staff will be working to contain the fire.
The Mount Law fire was discovered on Sunday, Aug. 15 and has since grown to approximately 800 ha. The fire is classified as Out of Control and is suspected to be human-caused.
READ MORE: Cooler temperatures offer slight relief for B.C. wildfire crews
READ MORE: ‘We’re really starting to get a handle on some of these fires’: Sicamous Fire Chief
@paulatr12paula.tran@kelownacapnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
