Oliver wildfire spreads to 15 square kilometres
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Thu, 08 Aug 2019 16:35:57 +0000
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Oliver grew significantly overnight, and an evacuation alert has been expanded to include more properties.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said Thursday that the Eagle Bluff fire grew to 15 square kilometres, more than three times the size of Stanley Park, after it was mapped at nine square kilometres Wednesday and just two square kilometres on Monday.
Fire information officer Nicole Bennett said fire officials had expected the fire, burning about 10 kilometres south of Okanagan Falls, to grow as it is burning in terrain that is difficult for crews to access. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation and the residents of more than 250 properties have been told they may need to leave at a moment’s notice.
Officials say crews conducted a successful burn operation south of Gallagher Lake on Wednesday, and they are preparing for another Thursday from Mudd Lake, south towards McKinney Road area, if conditions are favourable.
A structure protection specialist is also on site and will be assessing residences in the evacuation alert area. Bennett said crews have been challenged by the steep and rocky terrain, which make it unsafe for firefighters.
Thirteen helicopters as well as airtankers are continuing to support ground crews.
Most of the blaze is spreading east and away from the community, however there are a couple of spots in the Gallagher Lake area where the fire has moved down slope, said Bennett.
Fire officials say the blaze is highly visible from Highway 97 and they are asking drivers to slow down and keep their eyes on the road.
More than 250 properties, including residential homes, RV parks, mobile home parks and recreational campsites, remain under an evacuation alert.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Eagle Bluff fire, north of Oliver, has grown to 15 square kilometres.
The alert also includes part of the Osoyoo Indian Band reserve and the Okanagan Correctional Centre, which has 378 prison cells.
Caroline McAndrews, a spokesperson for B.C. Corrections, said the risk to evacuate the building remains low and they are monitoring the situation. She said they have plans in place for evacuations in response to fires and floods.
“I can assure you the centre has planned for all eventualities and B.C. Corrections facilities across the province have the capacity to accommodate transfers as necessary. We are unable to confirm any more details due to security protocols,” she said in an email Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening, 41 more properties in the McKinney Creek area were put on alert because of potential changes in the weather conditions.
Areas under the alert can be found on the website of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
EOC Update: August 7, 2019 8:00pm
Expansion of Evacuation Alert in Electoral Area "C"
Click below to view full information release:https://t.co/TrvIg3L6Sf pic.twitter.com/ZsQ02ID9g3
Weather in the Okanagan and Similkameen areas is hot, with special weather statements remaining in effect Thursday across the southern Interior calling for temperatures in the mid- to high-30s. Environment and Climate Change Canada says a reprieve from the heat will begin on Friday, but that could be accompanied by thunderstorms.
The wildfire danger rating in B.C. has climbed significantly since the weekend, with ratings of high to extreme posted across parts of the lower quarter of the province, much of southern Vancouver Island and the northwest.
Meantime, The BC Wildfire Service is urging campers to be more careful after fire officials had to extinguish 32 abandoned campfires over the long weekend in the Kamloops Fire Centre alone.
#BCWildfire is urging the public to be more careful with fire use to help reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire wardens discovered & extinguished 32 abandoned campfires over the BC Day long weekend in #Kamloops Fire Centre alone.
More info here: https://t.co/A9haEKfuHR pic.twitter.com/YZhYvcYoGa
ticrawford@postmedia.com
-With files from Postmedia and The Canadians Press