Okanagan wildfires prompt evacuations, force road closures
Posted July 19, 2018 7:33 pm.
Last Updated July 19, 2018 10:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OKANAGAN (NEWS 1130) – Dozens of properties have been placed under an evacuation order and dozens more under an evacuation alert as crews continue to battle multiple wildfires in the Okanagan.
Highway 97 re-opened single lane Thursday night between Peachland and Summerland after a wildfire in the area forced the road to close both ways for the second time in as many days.
There is no estimated time as to when it may reopen. The highway was also forced to close Wednesday night as crews battled the fire.
An evacuation order has been issued for all properties along Garnet Valley Road north of, and including, Wildhorse Road. Residents are asked to leave the area immediately. An Emergency Services Reception Centre has been set up at the Curling Club at the Summerland Area.
An evacuation alert has been issued for 60 properties in southern Peachland, as well as some properties in the Regional District of Central Okanagan Electoral Area West due to the Mt. Eneas wildfire.
The fire, caused by lightning, doubled in size to 1,000 hectares within hours on Wednesday.
According to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, about 150 people have been affected by the evacuation alert.
People under evacuation alert should be prepared to leave on short notice.
The evacuation order for Brent Road on Highway 97 south remains in effect.
