400 properties ordered evacuated after wildfire partially closes Highway 97C in B.C.'s Okanagan region
The eastbound closure of the Okanagan Connector (Highway 97C) stretches from the junction of Highway 97 to the junction of Highway 5A, a distance of 82.5 kilometres. It was earlier closed in both directions, but reopened to westbound traffic just after 6:30 p.m. PT.
DriveBC says a stretch of Highway 97 between Peachland and the Highway 97C junction has also been closed in both directions due to the fire, which was measured at 27 hectares in size as of 6:30 p.m. PT Wednesday.
The fire is suspected to have been started by human activity, a broad category that includes any fire not caused by lightning.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan's emergency operations centre said in a statement around 4:45 p.m. PT that residents of around 400 properties were ordered to leave, and evacuation alerts will be issued.
Evacuation centres have been set up at the Peachland Community Centre and West Kelowna's Royal LePage Place, according to officials.
Properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C, and north of Highway 97 are on evacuation order.
An evacuation alert has been issued for around 225 properties just southwest of the area that is under an evacuation order.
An evacuation alert means that residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, while an evacuation order means that residents should leave immediately.
More details on evacuations will be posted to the cordemergency.ca website, according to officials.
Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel is among those who had to leave their homes due to the blaze. He estimates smoke from the fire was 500 to 600 metres from his home, which is in a hillside community between many trees.
"I think there's no reason to be, you know, in panic," he told Sarah Penton, host of CBC's Radio West, late Wednesday afternoon from the evacuation centre.
"I think [the] fire department is on it, we have a lot of trust in them," he added. "And I'm very hopeful that they will get a handle on it."
WATCH | CBC's Jacqueline Gelineau talks about the latest on Drought Hill wildfire:
Van Minsel said that anyone who had to leave their homes should have a place to go as the community centre is very large and people who aren't under evacuation order are welcoming and would take evacuees in.
Taylor Colman, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said crews were seeing a moderate rate of fire spread on Wednesday evening.
"Thankfully, the air tankers and skimmers that are responding have really helped cool fire behaviour and slowed the spread," she said just after 6 p.m. PT. "And then our personnel on the ground are able to support Peachland fire department with the ground response."
Fire sparked during hot week
The blaze was sparked amid a sweltering week for the southern B.C. Interior, with Environment Canada maintaining a heat warning for the Okanagan Valley on Wednesday.
Officials have not yet categorized the fire as a "wildfire of note," a designation that means it is particularly visible or poses a threat to public safety.
moments leading up to evacuation:
Two other major fires are burning in the southern half of the province — including the Bear Creek wildfire near Harrison Lake, and a fire south of Lytton that has prompted evacuation alerts.
Kelowna RCMP said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that firefighting helicopters would be using nearby Okanagan Lake to refuel, and that boaters should avoid the area.
"Boaters are asked to be aware and not obstruct the aircraft from accessing the lake in their firefighting efforts," the statement reads.
RCMP said that the closures on Highway 97 and Highway 97C would last for an indefinite amount of time.
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