Photo: Kate Harper~McGregor
The Keremeos Creek Fire as viewed from Highway 3A on Monday.
UPDATE 19:32
The Keremeos Creek wildfire had grown to nearly 2,800 hectares as of Monday night.
The BC Wildfire Service said in its update that the perimeter map currently posted does not include the portion that was not visible due to smoke. After the smoke cleared, a more accurate perimeter was obtained.
The heat wave increased the intensity of the fire outside Penticton that started Friday afternoon, prompting 324 properties to be placed under evacuation orders and 438 under evacuation alerts. The full list of properties can be found here.
According to Adam Goodwin, Penticton’s ESS Coordinator, 50 evacuees arrived today from the Keremeos Creek Wildfire.
“Penticton ESS volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure every evacuee has a bed tonight before we close at 7 p.m.,” he said.
The drop-in center has been set up at Princess Margaret Middle School at 120 Green Ave. in Penticton for those who need immediate assistance.
It will reopen tomorrow from 9am to 5pm to continue to support the RDOS and those affected by the Keremeos Creek bushfire.
“Members of the public dropped off gift cards today to support the evacuees,” Goodwin added.
BCWS and structure protection crews are assigned to continue working on the fire overnight.
“Structural Defense has deployed resources to homes and infrastructure as needed and continued work to triage additional sites should be required,” BCWS said in its update.
Emergency lines continue to be built on the south side of the ravine at Sheep Creek Road, while hand lines are being built south from Green Mountain Road to Highway 3.
BCWS said they expect to use the cooler conditions to their advantage over the next few days as temperatures drop.
The growth of the fire continues to be in steep and difficult to access terrains.
Contributed
UPDATE 3:50 p.m
A new evacuation warning has been issued by the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District due to the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
Includes White Lake and Twin Lake communities, Highway 3A between Green Mountain Road and Olalla east of Highway 3A. The full list of properties can be found here.
There are currently 324 properties under evacuation orders and 438 under evacuation warnings.
Photo: BC Wildfire Service
New map showing extent of Keremeos Creek as of August 1, 2022.
The fire has moved much closer to Highway 3A, but so far the road remains open.
“No road closures are expected at this time.” That said, it’s not a very predictable fire. This is an out of control wildfire,” said BCWS Information Officer Brian Zandberg.
“We are definitely in close contact with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure regarding road closures. It’s the same with our First Nations partners. We’re working pretty closely with them on the road closures that we need to put in place to protect everyone.”
Officials were asked about people wanting to gain access to their properties in the mountain village of Apex, which is under an evacuation order.
“My understanding is, basically, if someone is in Apex and they’ve left because of the evacuation order, you certainly can’t come back in,” said Eric Thompson, communications coordinator for the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District.
“I know there were people trying to get back into the area and at this time of day it’s unlikely to be possible.” Because the idea of an evacuation order is to get people out, to be safe. So getting people back there is a challenge,” he adds.
Thompson said if you’re a property owner and you come to the checkpoint, the crew stationed there might let you in, but it’s unlikely.
Photo: BC Wildfire Service
The southwest corner of the Keremeos Creek Fire on July 31, 2022.
UPDATE 2:10 p.m
The Keremeos Creek wildfire has grown significantly.
BCWS Fire Information Officer Brian Zandberg says the fire is now mapped at 2,264 hectares.
The size was updated after the BCWS flew over the perimeter earlier in the day.
Zandberg says the fire was exhibiting Category 4 and 5 behavior Sunday night. Gusty winds and a chance of thunderstorms are expected later today.
New evacuation orders have been issued by the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District as a result of the fire.
Evacuation orders are now in effect for Sheep Creek Road southbound, north of Olalla and Highway 3A.
Fifty-three new addresses have been added to the evacuation list.
Click here for updated addresses.
According to Zandberg, 324 properties are under evacuation orders and another 73 are under evacuation warnings.
Most of the homes on alert are in I and G constituencies.
The RDOS confirmed that the structure destroyed in the fire was a house and was occupied at the time, but the occupant escaped safely.
Photo: RDOS
UPDATE 1:10 p.m
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is hosting a live video update at 2pm to provide information on the Keremeos Creek Wildfire.
The fire prompted evacuation orders and alerts for several properties, including the mountain village of Apex.
A drop-in center has been set up at Princess Margaret Middle School at 120 Green Ave. in Penticton for those who need immediate assistance. It is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you need transportation, call 250-490-4231.
If you have an evacuation warning or order, or if you have been displaced from your home, you can self-register with Emergency Support Services online or by calling 250-486-1890.
UPDATE 11:20 a.m
The Keremeos Creek wildfire grew Sunday evening and a new size assessment is expected later today, according to the British Columbia Wildfire Service.
The fire, which forced the evacuation of the mountain village of Apex, was “calmed” by an inversion on Sunday until around 2pm when the blaze spread to its south-west corner.
“The fire is growing and we are waiting for a more accurate size to be released later today,” BCWS said online. “This morning the fire is again moderated by an inversion and as it dissipates at midday we expect to see increased fire behavior again.”
Slightly cooler temperatures on Monday are helping fire crews over the next few days.
The fire is growing in steep and inaccessible terrain, so ground crews are building emergency lines while continuing to focus efforts on areas affecting residents.
There are now 144 wildland firefighters on site, supported by structural protection teams from local fire services across the region. Nine helicopters and four units of heavy equipment are being used.
“Most of the wildfire is located in terrain that cannot be used by air tankers and heavy machinery; however, the fire has moved into an area to the west that is accessible for heavy equipment work. Heavy equipment is being used to build a line in Sheep Creek, protecting the valuables,” BCWS said.
UPDATE 9:10am
Nearly 400 people are expected to be affected by an evacuation order issued Monday morning in the village of Apex Mountain.
The City of Penticton says its Emergency Support Services Center – at Princess Margaret Middle School at 120 Green Avenue – will provide assistance to evacuees.
Emergency officials are suggesting evacuees stay with friends or family if possible to keep hotel capacity free for those who have no alternative.
“No matter which option you choose, either log into ESS or give us a call. We want to make sure everyone has all the support and information they need and make sure everyone is safe,” says Penticton ESS Coordinator Adam Goodwin.
Emergency maintenance services are only available if your primary residence is one of the properties under an evacuation order. ESS can be reached at or by calling 1-800-585-9559.
“It’s our job to make sure all of our neighbors are safe and that they have what they need to get through this stressful time,” Goodwin says.
“As a community we will all do what we can to help and we are extremely grateful to the members of the community who are opening their homes. We do not anticipate any major accommodation issues or undue stress on local room capacity.’
Those wishing to financially support evacuees are encouraged to either make a donation to the Red Cross or drop off gift cards at City Hall during regular hours.
UPDATE 9am
In addition to the evacuation order for Apex Mountain Village, the RDOS has also expanded the evacuation warning area around the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
New addresses on Resolute Road, Highway 3A, Toy Creek Road, Green Mountain Road and more have been added to the evacuation warning area. Affected residents should pack up and be ready to leave immediately.
A list of addresses now under alert can be found here.
UPDATE: 8:15am
An evacuation order has been issued for the Apex Mountain Resort area as the Keremeos Creek Wildfire continues to burn nearby.
The evacuation order was issued at 8 a.m. by the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District Emergency Operations Center.
Residents should leave the area immediately.
A full list of affected addresses can be found here.
Members of the RCMP and search and rescue teams will be stepping up the action, the RDOS says.
Evacuees can register at the Princess Margaret Secondary School Reception Center in Penticton or online at ess.gov.bc.ca.
Anyone requiring transportation assistance from the evacuation zone or who identifies as having emergency needs is asked to call the RDOS EOC at 250-490-4225
Pet owners who are concerned about their animals can make an appointment with ALERT by calling 250-809-7152.
Photo: David Brooks
The Keremeos Creek wildfire, captured on July 31.
ORIGINAL: 4am
The Keremeos Creek wildfire was active near Highway 3A on Sunday, focusing firefighting efforts in that area, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
In a social media post Sunday afternoon, BCWS said the fire was relatively quiet over…
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