More residents of homes near the Keremeos Creek wildfire were ordered to evacuate as the fire grew in size Monday.
As of Monday night, the British Columbia Wildfire Service estimated the fire at 2,790 hectares, almost seven times the size of Stanley Park.
1:28 Keremeos Creek wildfire triggers more evacuation orders Keremeos Creek wildfire triggers more evacuation orders
The fire was measured at just 437 hectares on Sunday evening.
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Early Monday morning, residents of more than 200 homes in Apex Mountain Village were ordered to evacuate by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.
EOC Update: An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for Constituencies G and I due to the Keremeos Creek Wildfire August 1, 2022 2:00 pm pic.twitter.com/UQ7i7mAAy9
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) August 1, 2022
By noon, 54 homes on Sheep Creek Road South, north of Olalla and Highway 3A, had been added to the list.
The evacuation orders were put in place “to protect the health, safety or welfare of a person or to limit damage to property,” the regional district’s order said.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued an evacuation order for Apex Mountain Village shortly after 8 a.m. Monday. Courtesy: RDOS
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has already issued multiple evacuation warnings and an evacuation order for properties near the wildfire. Included in this was one property located on the Lower Similkameen Indian Strip lands on the Keremeos Forks 12 and 12A Indian Reserve.
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City of Penticton Emergency Services will provide support to those who have been forced to leave their homes.
“We advise everyone to follow the order and immediately leave the area and find a place of safety,” Adam Goodwin, ESS coordinator for the city of Penticton, said in a statement.
“Staying with family or friends is an option we would encourage people to use or make other accommodation if you can. This allows us to ensure that those without an alternative are cared for. No matter which option you choose, come to 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.”
The RDOS issued the order at 8am this morning and it affects nearly 400 people.
2:29 Evacuation Order In Effect For Apex Mountain Village Due To Aggressive Wildfire Evacuation Order In Effect For Apex Mountain Village Due To Aggressive Wildfire
Read more: Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton, BC grows to 2,364 hectares
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The Keremeos Creek fire on Friday.
“This morning the fire is again being moderated by an inversion and as it dissipates at midday we again expect to see increased fire behavior,” BC Wildfire said.
“The weather is a bit cooler today and it is forecast to continue to be cool for the next few days. With the inversion and cooler temperatures over the next two to three days, crews will use these conditions to their advantage.”
Zandberg said there are 144 firefighters working on the blaze and their focus today will ensure that people’s properties remain protected.
There are also some BC hydro pipelines and critical infrastructure that will also be focused on.
Read more: B.C. wildfire concerns grow as heat wave leads into B.C. Day long weekend
Located in rugged terrain, the fire is about 21 kilometers southwest of Penticton and 11 kilometers north of Olala. It is also about five kilometers southeast of Apex Mountain Resort.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen confirmed Saturday that a building was lost, with an official describing it as a shack or older building.
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