UPDATE: Fire off Coquihalla Connector not showing much growth

Jul 15, 2021 | 5:25 AM Pete McIntyre

The Brenda Creek wildfire is estimated at 480 hectares in the area south of the Okanagan Connector Highway 97-C and northwest of Peachland.

That’s slightly lower than the 500 hectare estimate on Saturday.

As the fire remains out of control, the Evacuation Alert remains in place for a portion of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area within the Regional District of Central Okanagan.  This affects approximately 18 properties with registered owners, three recreational camp areas and Crown land.  BC Wildfire’s Area Restriction Order is also in place for Crown land within the boundaries of an online map http://ow.ly/YPzp30rO8uZ

BC Wildfire says it has 23 firefighters on the ground today along with two helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment working on the fire.

They’re being supported by another 17 structural firefighters and equipment from the Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, North Westside and Willowbrook fire departments.  These firefighters are doing fuel mitigation around power poles while monitoring and protecting the BC Hydro transmission corridor through the fire area.

BC Hydro continues to actively monitor its transmission line and infrastructure through the Brenda Creek wildfire area. This morning’s aerial review of the transmission line did not show any damage. However the fire is still nearby. Crews remain on standby and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Customers are encouraged to learn more about preparing for any potential electricity outage by visiting BC Hydro’s website:

Preparing for a power outage www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/power-outages/prepare-for-outages.html
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Area restriction for Brenda Creek Wildfire July 17, 2021

The BC Wildfire Service has implemented an Area Restriction Order for the vicinity of the Brenda Creek wildfire, northwest of Peachland.

“The size of the area restriction reflects the continued need to protect the public in areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities,” a news release from the Wildfire Service said.

The Area Restriction takes effect noon on Saturday, July 17, 2021, and will remain in place until noon on October 15, 2021 or until it is rescinded.

The  order applies to Crown land within the geographic boundaries shown on the map posted online: http://ow.ly/YPzp30rO8uZ

Under this order and Section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person enters the area only in the course of:

Travelling as a person acting in an official capacity.
Travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression activities.
Travelling as a person working for Glencore Canada Corporation to and from the Brenda Mine site for the purposes of maintaining critical infrastructure at the site.
Travelling to or from his or her principle residence, that is not under an evacuation order.
Travelling to or from private or leased property for the purposes of accessing a secondary residence or recreational property, that is not under an evacuation order.
Engaging and/or participating in agricultural activities pertaining to livestock or agriculture management on private or leased property.

Failure to comply with Section 11 restricted area requirements may result in a violation ticket for $1,150.

The Brenda Creek Fire, which is northwest of Peachland off the Okanagan Connector, is listed at 500 hectares and still classified as ‘out of control.’

The evacuation alert continues for properties, three recreational camping areas and Crown land within the RDCO’s Central Okanagan West Electoral Area, south of Highway 97-C and northwest of Peachland.  Those affected should be prepared to leave on short notice in the event of any change in fire status requiring an Evacuation Order.

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UPDATE: Okanagan wildfire holding at 400 hectares July16, 2021

The BC Wildfire Service reports no significant growth in the Brenda Creek wildfire, south of the Okanagan Connector Highway 97-C and northwest of Peachland.

It is still estimated at 400 hectares, and considered out of control.

Firefighters on the ground, heavy equipment and three helicopters are working on the fire today.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre says the evacuation alert remains in effect for approximately 18 properties with registered owners and three recreational camp areas and Crown land within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.  Those impacted should be prepared to leave on short notice should fire behaviour require an upgrade to an Evacuation Order.  A detailed map showing the Alert area is available online at cordemergency.ca/map along with the latest information from the Emergency Operations Centre.

Kelowna and West Kelowna fire department are providing firefighters and equipment to support the BC Wildfire Service on the blaze.  Local governments and other agencies continue to respond and develop contingency plans to ensure important services are available for residents.

This morning BC Hydro was able to conduct an assessment by helicopter of most of the transmission line in the area, and it appears there is no damage to the infrastructure they were able to assess. There are some structures they cannot yet assess due to smoke. BC Hydro crews are ready to respond at a moment’s notice if required.

The Emergency Operations Centre continues to encourage those residents and businesses that might be affected by any power outage to consider as part of their emergency preparations, visiting the BC Hydro website and how to prepare for any power outage:

bchydro.com/safety-outages/power-outages/prepare-for-outages.html

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New wildfire in Okanagan grows to 400 hectares July 15

In light of current fire activity, BC Wildfire has considerably expanded the Brenda Creek wildfire Evacuation Alert within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

A map showing the new boundary of the Evacuation Alert in the Central Okanagan is available at cordemergency.ca.  The alert continues to extend into portions of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) and Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

Residents, businesses and those camping in recreation sites within the alert boundary should be prepared and ready to leave on short notice if fire conditions require an Evacuation Order.

There was some good news today as BC Hydro’s Dag Sharman says the fire burned up to their main transmission line but kept going.

Emergency Operations staff are continuing to work with BC Wildfire, BC Hydro and other agencies to monitor the wildfire and its potential impact.  They are consulting on planning efforts should the wildfire impact electrical service to adjacent communities of West Kelowna, Peachland, Westbank First Nation reserves #9 and #10 and areas serviced by BC Hydro within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.

In the event of any extended power outage, residents and businesses in those areas should make the following considerations:

Ensuring that an alternate drinking water supply is be available or they may need to store enough water for their needs in advance
Normal air conditioning and cooling will not be available, especially in light of our higher than normal temperatures.

Without electricity, residents and businesses may also wish to make plans for food storage, refrigeration and consider steps to safely ensure their food supply lasts for an extended period of time.
Interior Health – Power outages at food facilities

BC Hydro has information on its website to assist anyone that could be affected by an extended power outage stay safe – bchydro.com.

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The growing wildfire northwest of Peachland, could cause power outages in the Central Okanagan.

The main BC Hydro line goes through the area of the Brenda Creek fire that, at last report, had grown to 400 hectares and was burning 40 kilometres from West Kelowna.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) says it is working on advance planning in the event of any potential interruption in electrical service for those in nearby Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation reserves #9 and #10 and areas serviced by BC Hydro within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.

“The emergency program reminds all Central Okanagan residents that they should know the risks of potential emergencies, make a plan and prepare grab and go kits in the event they are required to leave their homes for at least 72 hours,” said a news release from the EOC.

An evacuation alert remains in effect for a portion of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area in the Regional District of Central Okanagan due to the Brenda Creek wildfire.

“This area is south of Highway 97-C (Okanagan Connector) and northwest of Peachland and is mostly rural Crown land,” the EOC said.

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.

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UPDATE 12:00 p.m.

The Brenda Creek Fire off the Coquihalla Connector has grown to an estimated 400 hectares.

“Aggressive fire behaviour is being reported on site,” an update from the BC Wildfire Service said.

The blaze has been designated as a ‘fire of note.’

The fire, which was discovered Wednesday, and has an unknown cause, is about 40 kilometres from West Kelowna.

There are concerns the fire could impact the main Hydro transmission line to West Kelowna.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an Evacuation Alert for 43 properties in Electoral Area “H.”

There are 309 fires burning in B.C. today with 110 in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

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New wildfire in Okanagan Jul 15, 2021 | 5:25 AM

A new wildfire was reported near Brenda Mine Wednesday afternoon, about 40 kilometres from West Kelowna.

It is on the south side of the Connector and very visible from the road.

BC Wildfire said it was about 80 hectares in size last night and they were responding with six personnel, helicopters and air tanker support.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre has been activated in response to the Brenda Creek wildfire, northwest of Peachland and south of the Okanagan Connector Hwy 97-C.

At the recommendation of BC Wildfire Service, the RDCO has issued an Evacuation Alert for the mostly rural Crown land and recreation sites in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area south of Highway 97-C. The Alert area also includes portions of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) and Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD). Anyone affected in those regional districts should check with their emergency program.

Those impacted by this Evacuation Alert in the RDCO should be prepared to leave their residence or camping area with short notice.

The Emergency Operation Centre is working with all utilities and agencies including BC Hydro to monitor the wildfire and its potential impact. Residents and businesses can visit bchydro.com for information on how to prepare in the event the wildfire results in any power outage.

It’s anticipated further information on the status of this Evacuation Alert and wildfire response will be available from the EOC before 12 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday)

The Central Okanagan continues to see hot, dry conditions with little prospect for significant precipitation. Residents and visitors should be vigilant and aware that the fire hazard remains extreme and that campfires and open fires are not allowed. In addition, smoking is not allowed in any parks. Central Okanagan emergency officials encourage motorists to safely extinguish smoking materials.

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.

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