Fire grows to 565 hectares
Photo: Contributed
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire has grown to 550 hectares. Photo taken at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 3.
UPDATE 9:20 p.m.
The Quilptuk Creek wildfire burning south of La Casa did show some growth on Monday.
However, BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Nicole Bonnett said that growth was to the northwest and away from any structures.
The fire was tracked at 565.8 hectares in size as of Monday evening.
“Throughout the day today we had to do a lot of dangerous tree assessments and falling work. On the east flank they have been doing that,” said Bonnett.
“On the north flank we have crews and heavy equipment that are working west along that flank. They are again assessing dangerous trees and falling, but also putting in hoselays so they can get water on the fire’s edge to extinguish the edge.”
Bonnet said on the south flank, they have been establishing a guard and working upslope as far as they can go.
All work during the day was supported by helicopters bucketing on hot spots.
Bonnet said fire protection personnel will be on site overnight working on hot spots in areas where there are more active sections to minimize the spread.
Westside Road remains closed around the fire and all evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect.
A reception area for evacuees at the Westbank Lions Community Hall on Main Street in West Kelowna will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Evacuees needing a solace to sleep can check in at Royal LePage Place on Cameron Road in West Kelowna.
Castanet will resume coverage of this wildfire early Tuesday morning.
UPDATE 6 p.m.
The BC Wildfire Service has now pegged the Quilptuk Creek wildfire south of La Casa at 565.8 hectares in size.
The fire upgraded to 550 hectares earlier in the day.
The fire remains out of control.
“BC Wildfire Service personnel are responding to this incident along with all local fire departments in the Central Okanagan,” BCWS stated in a late Monday afternoon update.
“Aerial resources, heavy equipment teams and structure protection are supporting this incident.
“Fire crews continue to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.”
Westside Road remains closed north at Caesar’s Landing.
All evacuation alerts and orders remain in place and will remain overnight.
The emergency support services reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Centre is now closed for the night as is the overnight support at Westbank First Nation’s Sensisyusten House of Learning support centre
The reception centre will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Those evacuees seeking overnight support can access it at Royal LePage Place on Cameron Road for group lodging.
The arena has snacks, water, sleeping cots, washroom facilities and first aid.
Security patrolled parking is also in place.
RV’s and trailers can park at Mount Boucherie Secondary school next to the arena.
Photo: BCWS
Crews using heavy equipment to build a guard around the fire.
UPDATE 12:53 a.m.
Evacuation orders and alerts issued for properties threatened by the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire will likely stay in place for the remainder of Monday, officials say.
The out-of-control fire more than doubled in size overnight and is currently mapped at 550 hectares and growing which means, if anything, additional orders or alerts may be possible.
“Fire and weather conditions will be monitored to determine if additional evacuation orders or alerts are required,” officials said in a media release, adding “while not expected, it is possible.”
Thus far, 2,223 evacuation orders and and 425 evacuation alerts are in place and Emergency Support Services services can be accessed at the Westbank Lions Hall (2466 Main St) for those who require assistance registering or additional services such as food, clothing, cultural supports or other incidentals.
Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Road) is open for all evacuees for group lodging. The Salvation Army is providing food and the overnight support site is equipped with snacks, water, sleeping cots, washroom facilities and first aid. Security patrolled parking is available on site.
RVs and trailers can park at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Road) overnight and access services at Royal LePage Place.
The overnight support site at Westbank First Nation’s Sensisyusten House of Learning has closed for today.
UPDATE 10:20 a.m.
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire continues to spread northwest, with the steep terrain driving its advance, wildfire officials say.
Nicole Bonnett, BC Wildfire Service information officer, said the now 550 hectare blaze that has displaced people from thousands of residences is showing Rank 1 and 2 behaviour with pockets of Rank 3 at the head of the fire. That means it’s largely a smouldering ground fire with a slow to moderate rate of spread.
Bonnett said the fire is moving up and away from the community right now, and while fire behaviour has been improved all eyes are on conditions set to arrive in the early to late afternoon, the hottest and driest part of the day.
In addition to BC Wildfire Service crews, the Joe Rich Fire Department is out there also, with three helicopters and heavy equipment working along the west flank and putting up a guard.
Crews have completed a sprinkler line set up along the powerline on the west flank, BCWS said in its update.
On Sunday they continued to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.
UPDATE 6:43 a.m.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management issued another update for those living near the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
Now, residents in the Shelter Cove, Secret Point and Cinnabar Creek area are on evacuation alert, meaning they will have to get ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management also expanded the evacuation order early Monday saying there was increased activity around the fire. As of early Monday, properties in Caesars Landing previously on evacuation alert are now on an order.
On Sunday, the evacuation order for 2,218 properties and evacuation alerts for three properties remained in place. A map is active for those looking for evacuation information.
For full list of evacuation alerts and orders check the CORD Emergency Map.
Photo: David Emond
The Quilpituk Creek wildfire on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. The light trails are working helicopters.
ORIGINAL 5:58 a.m.
Fire crews worked through the night to battle the 200-hectare Quilpituk Creek wildfire south of La Casa but the fire continues to burn and more evacuation orders were issued as the day broke.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management expanded the evacuation order early Monday saying there was increased activity around the fire. As of early Monday, properties in Caesars Landing previously on evacuation alert are now on an order.
“With the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek wildfires burning to the north and south of this region, evacuations are currently underway to assure safe passage through the fire area,” CORD emergency said.
“At this time, no structures are immediately threatened. Westside Road from 5000 Westside Road is restricted to emergency vehicles and those needing to evacuate. Fire crews are aware of increased fire activity in the area and are responding.”
BC Wildfire said in its latest update that heavy equipment was set to join suppression efforts Monday.
Night-vision helicopter crews continued their attack on the blaze, which BCWS last described as a largely smouldering ground fire with a slow to moderate rate of spread, with pockets of a more vigorous fire.
In their latest update, BC Wildfire said crews completed a sprinkler line set up along the powerline on the west flank and on Sunday they continued to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.
On Sunday, the evacuation order for 2,218 properties and evacuation alerts for three properties remained in place. A map is active for those looking for evacuation information.
An overnight support site for Okanagan Indian Band members was set up at Westbank First Nation’s Sensisyusten House of Learning (1920 Quail Lane).
Royal LePage Place Arena 2760 Cameron Road) was also opened for all evacuees in need of group lodging. RVs and trailers are able to park at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Road).
Emergency Support Services (ESS) services will be open tonight at the Westbank Lions Hall (2466 Main St) until 9 p.m. for those who require assistance registering or additional services such as food, clothing or other incidental
Photo: BC Wildfire
An aerial view of the fire from overhead Aug 2
