UPDATE: Peachland wildfire under control
UPDATE 7:10 p.m.
The Peachland Maranatha Wildfire is under control and fire officials have deemed the area safe for the public.
Effective at 6:30 p.m., the Evacuation Alert has been rescinded for all properties in the Maranatha area of the District of Peachland which include:
- Bradbury Street
- Forest Hill Drive
- Law Street
- Pine Ridge Road and Pine Ridge Place
- Powell Road
- Princeton Ave
- Silver Crt
- Thompson Drive
The properties on Maranatha Drive that were tactically evacuated by the RCMP are now permitted to return to their homes. A detailed map is available showing the affected properties at cordemergency.ca
Residents looking for information regarding aerial fire retardant on their properties can contact the Wildfire Information Hotline at 1-888-336-7378.
While the Evacuation Alerts have been rescinded, conditions in the Central Okanagan continue to be hot and dry. Residents and visitors should be vigilant and aware that the fire hazard remains extreme. Central Okanagan emergency officials encourage everyone to be safe with any fires or smoking materials. In those areas that allow campfires, please keep them small and ensure that they are completely extinguished. Campfires and other outdoor wood-burning appliances are never permitted at any time in the City of Kelowna.
If you see smoke from a wildfire, report it at *5555 from a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555. If there is threat to life call 9-1-1.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website, cordemergency.ca, is a centralized location for regional public emergency and preparedness information, including links to useful provincial and federal emergency resources such as PreparedBC, BC Wildfire Services, Emergency Management BC and Air Quality readings.
Be sure to sign-up for e-updates to receive timely updates directly to your inbox about emergency incidents. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre also provides information on Facebook at facebook.com/CORDEmergency and Twitter at twitter.com/CO_Emerg.
Original story 4:00 p.m.
The Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to support BC Wildfire Service, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Joe Rich fire crews fighting the Peachland Maranatha Fire in Peachland.
All properties on Maranatha Drive were tactically evacuated by the RCMP and evacuated residents are taking shelter at the Peachland Community Centre under the care of ESS Volunteers.
An evacuation alert has been issued for the all properties in the following areas:
- Bradbury Street
- Forest Hill Drive
- Law Street
- Pine Ridge Road and Pine Ridge Place
- Powell Road
- Princeton Ave
- Silver Crt
- Thompson Drive
A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca.
All properties on evacuation alert should be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change. Residents in the affected area should be prepared to be away from their homes for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents. Visit the be prepared page for more information.
The fire is currently estimated at 1 hectare. At least one structure on Maranatha Drive has been destroyed. New information will be released as soon as it becomes available.