Photo: Kate Harper~McGregor
A helicopter collecting water from Ford Lake while attacking the Keremeos Creek Wildfire near Apex Mountain
UPDATE: 10:30 p.m
An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for several properties near Green Mountain Road near Ford Lake due to the Keremeos Creek Wildfire.
A full list and map of properties affected by the warning and evacuation order is available on the RDOS website.
The evacuation order is in effect for the following areas: Green Mountain Road between Highway 3A southbound and Apex Mountain Road southbound and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake.
For properties placed under an evacuation order, the RDOS said search and rescue teams and the RCMP will notify residents. For ESS support by phone, call 250-486-1890
Due to a shortage of commercial/hotel accommodation over the long weekend, the EOC said residents should consider staying with family or friends if possible and taking pets with them if you can.
If you need transportation assistance, call the RDOS EOC at 250-490-4225
Visit the RDOS EOC website for resource links and information updates here.
A map of the affected properties can be found below.
Photo: RDOS
UPDATE: 9:50 p.m
The Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Emergency Operations Center has been activated for the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
The EOC says it is monitoring conditions and encourages residents to monitor local media, the BC Wildfire Service and their EOC page for updates.
BCWS has now made the Keremeos Creek Wildfire a Notable Wildfire. Information can be found online here.
The fire is “exhibiting aggressive fire behavior,” BCWS said.
The wildfire is still estimated at 100 hectares and the cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation.
UPDATE: 8:40 p.m
Fire crews continue to battle the Keremeos Creek wildfire, which is still seen at 100 hectares after it broke out Friday afternoon outside Penticton near Apex Mountain.
BC Wildfire Service has 10 personnel and two helicopters on scene, with additional personnel and a structure protection unit en route to the backcountry location.
Graham Lindsay, deputy fire chief for Apex Volunteer Fire Rescue, took to a local Facebook page to let the community know that the area is currently out of danger.
“The smoke we’re seeing from Apex is a new wildfire on the slopes above Green Mountain Road. The fire does not pose a threat to the Apex community at this time. Resources have been identified and we (Apex Fire Rescue) will keep everyone updated,” he said.
Residents noted on social media that the fire appeared to be moving away from Apex.
BCWS expects to have an update in the next hour.
Photo: Pim Van Veltzen
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UPDATE: 7:40 p.m
The British Columbia Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Keremeos Creek wildfire, which grew rapidly after it broke out Friday afternoon outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain.
The wildfire is located about 21 km southwest of Penticton. BCWS said the wildfire is estimated at 100 hectares.
Ten personnel and two helicopters are on site and additional personnel and a structure protection unit are en route to the location in the back country.
“This wildfire is located in terrain that is currently unusable for air tanker and heavy machinery support,” BCWS said.
Photo: BCWS
UPDATE: 7:07 p.m
Eight crews and two helicopters from the British Columbia Wildfire Service are on the scene of a wildfire outside Penticton near Apex Mountain.
Fire information officer Aidan Coray said additional personnel were en route.
The fire is currently estimated at eight hectares in size and is believed to have started in the late afternoon.
BCWS expects to have another update in the next hour.
ORIGINAL: 5:45 p.m
The British Columbia Wildfire Service has a helicopter at the scene of a wildfire outside of Penticton near Apex Mountain on Friday afternoon.
Fire Information Officer Aidan Coray said three aircraft are on the way and once resources arrive on scene BCWS will have a little more information on what they are seeing in the area.
The approximate location of the new fire is near Keremeos Creek, off Green Mountain Road and Ford Lake.
Castanet will update this story as more information becomes available.
If you have photos or videos, send them to [email protected]
Photo: BCWS
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