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UPDATE: Okanagan Centre fire now 90% contained

(UPDATE: July 18th @ 5:45 p.m.) -The Lake Country fire is now 90% contained.

Evacuation orders will remain in place overnight for 58 properties on Nighthawk Road, Long Road and Tyndall Road from south of 10810 to the end of the pavement.

Jack Seaton Park and trails remain closed.

Fire crews have continued to work on the fire and their efforts will continue into Tuesday evening as they extinguish remaining spot fires, mop up hot spots in a steep gully and fall hazard trees, according to a Central Okanagan Emergency Operations release.

The fire has gone from 80% contained Tuesday morning to its current status of 90% containment. The size of the fire-affected area held at 50.3 hectares.

An update on the status of the evacuation order for the Okanagan Centre Fire is expected around 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 19.

RCMP are maintaining road blocks in the evacuated area and are conducting ongoing roaming patrols. Members of the public are asked to stay away from evacuated areas to aid in the emergency response and avoid hazards created by the fire.

RCMP have indicated zero tolerance for people accessing closed areas.

(UPDATE: July 18th @ 10:00 a.m.) - Progress continues to be made on the Okanagan Centre fire.

Favourable weather overnight aided efforts from crews and the fire is now listed as 80% contained.

"Ground crews will continue extinguishing spot fires and conducting danger tree assessments and falling in fire impacted areas throughout the day Tuesday," said a release from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations. "As soon as it is safe to remove the evacuation order, residents will be allowed home."

Currently, 58 properties remain on evacuation order along Nighthawk Road, Tyndall Road and Long Road.

RCMP are maintaining road blocks to keep people away and they have zero tolerance for people trying to access closed areas.

(UPDATE: July 17th @ noon) - The evacuation order for 11 properties along Tyndall Road has been rescinded.

Approximately 58 properties remain on evacuation order, however, along Tyndall Road, Nighthawk Road and Long Road, while Jack Seaton Park is closed as well.

The eleven large, undeveloped properties that are no longer on evacuation order are on the gravel portion of Tyndall Road.

The fire is still sitting at 50 hectares and remains 75% contained.

(UPDATE: July 17th @ 9:30 a.m.) - Okanagan Fire at 50 hectares and 75% contained

The Okanagan Centre fire is now listed as 75% contained and sits at an estimated 50.3 hectares in size.

Emergency responders worked throughout the night putting out spot fires and actioning a flare up during windy conditions.

Evacuation orders remain in place for Nighthawk Road, Long Road and Tyndall Road, and Jack Seaton Park is still closed.

Crews made good progress on the blaze overnight, but windy conditions prompted a flare up on the south end of Tyndall Road.

Ground crews will continue to work on the fire on Monday and when it's safe to remove the evacuation order, residents will be allowed home.

RCMP are maintaining road blocks and roaming patrols in the evacuated area and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area.

Photo credit: KelownaNow

Click here to see photos and video from the media briefing and tour. (Eight homes lost in Okanagan Centre Fire)

Read and listen to our podcast interview with Lake Country Fire Chief Steve Windsor by clicking here.

To see our photos and video story click here

(UPDATE: July 16th @ 9:00 p.m.) - Evacuation order rescinded for some Okanagan Centre homes

The Emergency Operation Centre advises that following an assessment this afternoon between Lake Country Fire and the BC Wildfire Service, the Evacuation Order for Nighthawk Road, Long Rd, Tyndall Road from south of 10810 to the end of the pavement remains in effect. As well, Jack Seaton Park is closed.

These areas within the Okanagan Centre wildfire still have an active fire which is being fought by ground crews. When it is safe to remove this order, residents for the approximately 69 properties will be allowed home.

The Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alerts on several other areas and roads in Lake Country have been rescinded. Check out the map at www.cordemergency.ca/map and search by address to determine if an area or street is under alert or order.

RCMP will continue staffing roadblocks and patrolling through evacuated areas overnight.

Click here to see photos and video from the media briefing and tour. (Eight homes lost in Okanagan Centre Fire)



(UPDATE: July 16th @ 5:10 p.m.) - Eight homes have been confirmed lost in the Okanagan Centre fire

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations just reported that eight homes on Nighthawk Road as well as outbuildings on Tyndall Road were lost overnight due to the Okanagan Centre fire.

Impacted property owners attended a meeting earlier today to receive information and support for moving forward.

(UPDATE: July 16th @ 2:20 p.m.) - Okanagan Centre Fire may have up to 10 homes lost to 30 hectare fire

An update from BC Wildfire has the Okanagan Centre fire at 55 hectares with 17 BC Wildfire firefighters, six origin and cause members and 1 officer currently onsite. Containment is at 50 per cent, and 80 per cent is surrounded by fire retardant.

Read and listen to our podcast interview with Lake Country Fire Chief Steve Windsor by clicking here.

To see our photos and video story click here.

(UPDATE: July 16th @ 9:20 a.m.)

BC Wildfire information officer Justine Hunse reported this morning that they had 25 BC Wildfire firefighters plus 10 fire wardens, and two response officers on scene through the night along with Central Okanagan firefighters. The fire is now 50 per cent contained with hand guard and is surrounded 80 per cent by retardant. Establishing guard on the south flank is complete from Okanagan Lake up to Tindle Road and hose line is being laid this morning.

The update from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations this morning reported the fire crews from across the Okanagan continued efforts overnight. No growth in the 30 hectare fire that is now 80 per cent contained. Crews continue to fight active fires inside the containment boundary.

Lake Country fire crews are receiving help today from neighbouring fire departments in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison and Joe Rich. As well, BC Wildfire Service firefighters are on the scene.

It’s been reported as many as ten structures have sustained damage in the fire. Detailed and more accurate assessments will be done to confirm damage figures later today.

The Evacuation Order and Alert remains in place this morning. The Evacuation Order for 331 properties within the Okanagan Centre area includes homes along a section of Okanagan Centre Road West, Nighthawk and Tyndall Roads. A detailed map showing the properties within the Evacuation Order area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Evacuated residents are requested to register at the Emergency Support Services reception centre if they haven’t done so already. It’s open at the Salvation Army Church in Kelowna at 1480 Sutherland Avenue to provide assistance and group lodging.

Residents of 657 properties are on Evacuation Alert and must be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change requiring them to leave their homes. A map showing properties within the Evacuation Alert area can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

(UPDATE: July 16th @ 1:00 a.m.)

The Okanagan Centre wildfire is reported to be 80 per cent contained. It’s estimated at approximately 30 hectares in size and is still active.

Overnight, Lake Country firefighters are being supported on the ground with fire crews and equipment from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison, Joe Rich, Armstrong, BX Swan Lake and the BC Wildfire Service.

While there’s significant containment around the wildfire, crews are still actively fighting fires inside the area.

(UPDATE: July 15th @ 11:40 p.m.)

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations is reporting that residents from approximately 330 properties have been evacuated from several roads within the Okanagan Centre area of Lake Country due to this afternoon’s wildfire.

An initial door to door evacuation was done as the fire began in the vicinity of Okanagan Centre Road West and 14th Street. The fire is now estimated at approximately 30-hectares in size.

A detailed map showing the properties within the Evacuation Order area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map

Residents that are out of their homes should report to the Emergency Support Services reception centre that is open to assist them at the Kelowna Salvation Army Church, 1480 Sutherland Avenue (Sutherland and Burtch). Residents must report to receive any assistance and group lodging.

In addition, an Evacuation Alert has been issued for residents of 657 properties. These residents should be prepared to leave their homes at a moments notice should fire conditions change and an evacuation become necessary. A map showing properties within the Evacuation Alert area can be viewed at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

At this point this is still an active fire. It’s reported as many as ten structures have been impacted by the fire but an accurate assessment will be done once the fire has been contained.

Air and ground crews are working this blaze which was reported just after 4:30 this afternoon above Okanagan Centre Road West in Lake Country. A tactical evacuation was done for a number of properties in several upslope areas of Okanagan Centre.

The Emergency Operations Centre is supporting Lake Country fire crews on this fire. Fire crews and equipment from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Ellison, Joe Rich, Armstrong and BX Swan Lake fire departments along with BC Wildfire Service air and ground support.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

Avoid the Okanagan Centre Road West, Tyndall Road, Camp Road, and Long Road areasso emergency responders can effectively perform their duties

Monitor cordemergency.ca for confirmed information about the situation

Please only CALL 9-1-1 in case of emergency

Monitor cordemergency.ca, facebook.com/CORDEmergency or twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation

Information will also be provided via the https://twitter.com/CO_Emergand https://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency/ For more information contact the Information Office at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).

Photo credit: Debbie Lowey

(UPDATE: July 15th @ 8:30 p.m.)- Nighthawk fire renamed Okanagan Centre Fire grows to 30 hectares

The Nighthawk fire has been renamed the Okanagan Centre Fire.

Wildfire BC is supporting the local Lake Country Fire Department fight the Okanagan Centre Fire.

Currently the fire has grown to 30 hectares in size.

There are 11 fixed winged aircrafts, one helicopter and ground crews on the scene.

It is showing rank three fire behaviour, meaning it's a larger surface fire that might see some candling into the trees.

It's located between McKinley Landing and Lake Country.

Structures are threatened.

There is no cause as of yet.

Strong winds is increasing the fire activity.

(UPDATE: July 15th @ 7:00 p.m.)-

The fire burning on Nighthawk Road has grown in size to an estimated 20 hectares since 6 p.m. as confirmed by the Kamloops Fire Centre.

BC Wildfire Services and local response crews along with helicopters and air tankers are still hard at work to extinguish the blaze.

A KelownaNow reporter on the scene has reported strong westerly winds are pushing up the hill.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

The Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Kelowna Salvation Army Church is open for residents who have been evacuated as a result of this fire.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

The centre is located at 1480 Sutherland Avenue. Those people out of their homes must attend the reception centre in person to register for assistance and group lodging.

(UPDATE: July 15th @ 6:00 p.m.)

The Kamloops Fire Centre has confirmed that the fire north of McKinley Landing has grown to two hectares in size and nearby structures are threatened.

A tactical evacuation is underway for some homes in the area of the fire along Okanagan Centre Road West. The fire has been named the "Nighthawk Fire".

Currently, BC Wildfire Services are helping local response teams with helicopters, air tankers and ground crews, numbers are yet to be confirmed.

<who>Photo Credit: Christle Cook</who>

<who>Photo Credit: Chris Hill</who>

<who>Photo Credit: Kevin Anderson</who>

<who>Photo Credit: Tracy Christman</who>

(UPDATE: July 15th @ 5:30 p.m.)

Kamloops Fire Centre has confirmed a fire is burning north of McKinley Landing on the east side of Okanagan Lake.

They have also confirmed air tankers, ground crews, and local response teams are currently working to put the fire out.

<who>Photo credit: Owen Davies</who>

<who>Photo credit: Donna Neiertz</who> view from Fintry

<who>Photo credit: Tracy Christman</who>

(Original story: July 13th @ 5:00 p.m.)

We have confirmed with BC Wildfire that there are reports of a fire in the Lake Country area. They will have more information available in 30 minutes.

We have also received numerous calls to our office.

We will update with more information as it becomes available.

Photo contributed

Send your photos and videos to [email protected].

Just last month my little town was flooding, now we're burning down 😔

A post shared by K A Y L A (@obbsandlala) on



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