Wildfire officials are warning residents who are under evacuation alert due to the Quilpituk Creek wildfire in the Okanagan that it will be upgraded to an evacuation order on Thursday morning.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management (COEM) said the current evacuation alert for Shelter Cove, Secret Point and Cinnabar Creek is expected to be upgraded to an evacuation order in the morning on Thursday, Aug. 6.
BC Wildfire Service has advised that forecasted weather conditions are expected to increase fire behaviour and contribute to the growth of the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.
Residents are not asked to leave at this time, but are expected to get ready to leave.
In this case, forecasted weather conditions have provided a rare opportunity to notify residents in advance, giving them more time to prepare, COEM said in a statement.
The following addresses are included in the anticipated evacuation order:
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3545, 3595, 3625, 3645, 3677, 3707, 3723, 3737, 3751, 3765, 3777, 3850, 3985, 4017, 4029, 4049, 4069, 4129, 4163, 4200, 4215, 4400, 4401, and 4625 Westside Road
Emergency Support Services (ESS) supports are available once the anticipated evacuation order is in effect on Thursday. Affected residents are urged to use this time to make a plan, gather essential items and make arrangements for family members and pets.
The BC Wildfire Service currently lists the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire at 742 hectares and out of control.
In an update provided on Wednesday morning, the wildfire service said crews worked through the night, using helicopters equipped with night vision technology to cool hot spots and limit fire growth.
On Wednesday, firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft continued building and strengthening control lines, removing hazardous trees and directly attacking the fire along its edges.
The fire activity is currently low to moderate, but it is smouldering and there is surface fire behaviour.
Who is preparing food for all these folks and the firefighter?