Photo Credit: Shawn Talbot Photography/Contributed
UPDATE: (12:45pm): The wildfire has grown to more than 300 hectares in size. More information can be found here.
UPDATE (9 a.m.)
The Westside Road wildfire has grown in size. Further details can be found here.
UPDATE (6 a.m.)
The Emergency Operations Centre is updating the evacuation order for the Shelter Cove fire to clarify which roads are within the order area.
Those under the evacuation order include about 70 homes along Westside Road from 3985 Westside Road north to La Casa Resort.
It does not include La Casa.
The other roads included in the order are as follows:
Denison Road
Shelter Cove Road
Central Okanagan Road
Deighton Road
According to Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, Terrace Way, Chalet Crescent, and Condo Court are not within the evacuation order area.
UPDATE (12:20am):
The evacuation order for homes along Westside Road has been expanded to include approximately 70 homes because of the wildfire.
The fire is now estimated at 30 hectares in size and Westside Road between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort is closed. Residents of properties from 3985 Westside Road north to La Casa Resort (but not including La Casa) and the following roads: Terrace Way, Chalet Crescent, Condo Court, Denison Road, Shelter Cove Road, Central Okanagan Road and Deighton Road are asked to register at the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre located in the Westside Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.
There are no properties left on evacuation alert and neither La Casa Resort nor Lake Okanagan Resort are affected by the evacuations.
Photo Credit: Shawn Talbot Photography/Contributed
Original Story:
The wildfire burning above Westside Road is believed to be lightning caused and was first sparked Sunday evening north of Okanagan Lake Resort.
Firefighters were already in the area dealing with the wildfire in Bear Creek Park when the call came in for this second fire. Crews managed to contain the blaze quickly.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com
The fire was sparked again around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and strong wind gusts helped the flames spread quickly. Winds are blowing at 28 km/hr with gusts up to 46 km/hr.
The BC Wildfire Service considers the fire to be Rank 4. A Rank 4 fire is a highly vigorous surface fire and spreads 3.0 to 6.0 m/minute. This type of fire produces grey to black smoke, has an organized surface flame front, and has a moderate to fast rate of spread along the ground. Short aerial bursts and short range spotting will occur with these fires. Control efforts at fire's head may fail.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com
As of 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20th the fire was an estimated four to five hectares in size but rapidly growing. The fire is burning downslope and there are at least 23 firefighters working on the scene.
A tactical evacuation is being prepared and is underway for properties near Shelter Cove between La Casa and Lake Okanagan Resort. Residents from the following addresses in the Shelter Cove subdivision are being evacuated by the RCMP: 4401 to 4163 Westside Road.
These residents are asked to report to the Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna. Volunteers will be on hand after 1130 p.m. to assist evacuated residents with food, lodging and clothing needs.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com
In addition, an Evacuation Alert is in place for residents and properties along Denison Road as well as Camp Mewata and in Caesars Landing. These residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should conditions require an Evacuation Order.
Air tankers and helicopters cannot be used at this time because it is night and visibility is a concern.
Power has been knocked out to more than 1,390 customers in the area of the wildfire. Residents living north of Westside Road, south of Whitemans Creek Road, and west of Coral Beach Road are without power because of the wildfire.
Area where the road closure is along Westside Road (Photo Credit: Google Maps)
Westside Road is closed in both directions between Cinnibar Creek and La Casa because of the wildfire.
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