Boil water advisory is still in place for the Black Mountain and S.E. Irrigation Districts. Prime Minister is now landing in Kelowna.  He will; make a statement at 4:30 today. 1:27 pm Ministry of Forestry Fire Update (12:40) The Okanagan Mountain Park fire is estimated to be 19,600 hectares in size, resources in place include 330 fire-fighters, of which 150 are military personnel, 17 helicopters and 140 pieces of heavy equipment.  In addition air tankers are available to provide support as long as the current favourable weather and smoke conditions prevail.  Heavy smoke does limit the use of air tankers. The fire still remains very active in the north east sectors, but no significant runs occurred yesterday.  Control lines have been established in this sector and this work is continuing with heavy equipment today.  In these northern sectors, which are in south Kelowna area, both Ministry of Forests and military crews worked along side with the local fire department to extinguish hot spots in subdivisions and around homes.  Helicopter bucketing is being used extensively to support this activity, and air tanker support will continue today to establish retardant lines.  In the southern sectors the fire activity remains stable allowing crews the opportunity to beef up the control lines. Fire crews will work toward containing the fire, and continue to provide protection for structures and safety of all fire line personnel.  In addition, aggressive mop-up and patrol for the southern sectors remains a priority. The cooperation amongst the agencies remains high and the Incident Commander of the Fire Command team continues to stress safety first for all the crews working on the fire. Yesterday the winds were lighter than expected, and were generally from the north west.  Today’s weather forecast is sunny with cloudy periods, slightly cooler temperatures, but little humidity.  The winds will be strong enough that there is the potential for aggressive fire behavior during the peak of the burning period in the denser timber types.  Winds are expected to increase again in the afternoon with gusts to 35 kilometers per hour. We would like to thank the public and communities in the Okanagan for their over-whelming support.  It is appreciated and it does help.  Our thoughts are with those families that will learn about the loss of their homes today. Click here for a full press release. No Day Passes Today For Evacuees - Conditions Still Not Safe 12:15 pm From the Emergency Operations Centre - Officials in the Emergency Operations Centre are continuing to plan and strategize on all aspects of the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park forest fire. Staff is well aware of the desire of many residents who have been forced out of their homes through the Evacuation Orders to return even temporarily.  The Evacuation Orders and Alerts are under constant review, but at the present time No Day Passes are being issued for re-entry into these areas as public safety remains paramount.   When Incident Command knows conditions are safe, media will be advised of any change in the status of Day Passes. Staff from the City of Kelowna and Regional District of Central Okanagan has worked as quickly as possible to gather specific information regarding those properties affected by the fire’s advance on Friday night.   This afternoon at 1:30 pm those residents identified by street addresses that have been made public have been invited to a meeting at Trinity Baptist Church.  It’s believed up to 600 property owners could attend the session:  all are residents of the specifically affected streets in the Okaview, Chute Lake Road, Crawford Estates, Swick/Rimrock Road and the South Lakeshore areas.  To coincide with this 1:30 pm meeting, maps and lists of affected properties will be posted at the Parkinson Recreation Centre and Kelowna Secondary School reception centres, as well as at Skyreach Place, which is being used for temporary accommodation. The Emergency Operations Centre is working on the initial phase of a recovery plan to assist residents whose properties have sustained damage or were not able to be saved.  This includes but is not limited to things like shelter, clean-up, restoring essential services and rebuilding the affected neighbourhoods.  This is not a short-term program and could last more than one year. Emergency Social Services volunteers continue their outstanding effort in assisting the thousands of residents who have been forced from their homes.  Of immediate importance is the likelihood that there will need to be another five day extension in the accommodation arrangements for many of the evacuees.  Tomorrow is the day that the present arrangement runs out.  A further extension would require at least one member from each family who has ESS arranged accommodation to re-register tomorrow.  Those whose last name begins with the letter A through K will have to go to the Parkinson Recreation Centre, while those who have last names beginning with the letter L through Z must go to the Kelowna Secondary School. Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center Revised Count of Homes Affected  (Today 10:21 am) Officials have revised the total count of homes affected from the 203 estimated yesterday to 244 today. More Residents Invited to Attend Information Meeting  (Today 9:43 am) Residents of Canyon View Court, Canyon Falls Court and Elridge Court have been invited to attend the information meeting that has been arranged for residents who believe their properties were damaged in the wildfire which swept through the south end of the City Friday night. The meeting will be held Sunday August 24th at 1:30 pm in Trinity Baptist Church, 1905 Springfield Road (the corner of Springfield and Spall).  Out of respect for property owners, this meeting is only open to accredited residents and is closed to the media.  Identification will be required for access to the meeting. Morning Update From The Emergency Operations Centre (Today 8:40 am) Cooler temperatures and calm winds overnight helped firefighters clean up hot spots and push the fire back. Exhausted but hopeful firefighters are reporting that the wind is now pushing the fire back on itself. This is aiding their efforts to control the fire's encroachment on the City of Kelowna city limits. Fire guards are presently being constructed to allow a back burn on the east side of the fire. At 8:20 a.m. on Saturday night the Fire Commissioner's office issued an Evacuation Order Rescind for the residents living north and on Highway 33 East. The area includes the upper Rutland bench, Joe Rich/Ellison and the Postill Lake area. Residents are allowed to return to their homes this morning, but will remain on Evacuation Alert, meaning they must continue to be ready to evacuate if the fire behaviour changes. Residents living south of Highway 33 will not be allowed home at this time. There have been no additional changes to the Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Alerts issued by the Fire Commissioner earlier this week. The Fire Commissioner is presently reviewing the fire position and assessing the safety impacts to each neighbourhood. If any Evacuation Orders or Alerts change of if day passes will be issued, residents will be notified immediately through the media. Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center Low Winds , Cool Conditions Aid Fire Fighting Efforts Overnight  (Today 8:35 am) The Okanagan Mountain Park fire seems to be moving up the hill in the North east corner. But heavy smoke in the valley is making it difficult to get an accurate picture this morning. One of the Information Officers at the Kelowna Operations Centre says there were couple of flare ups overnight in the South Ridge and Frost Road area. Bruce Smith says fire crews have been working through the night putting out spot fires and are now building a fire guard behind the June Springs Road area. That guard where the fire is slowly advancing, is between the subdivision and the main power line to Kelowna. The weather has been a lot cooler overnight which is good for fire crews and those evacuated from their homes. The more favourable conditions mean some residents will be able to return to their homes after the lifting of an evacuation order last night. Smith cautions though that residents are still on alert and advises them to not unpack everything yet. Meanwhile Smith says the fire on the Westside is contained but still burning. Westside fire crews are at the Riverside log area on Bear Creek Main logging road, where the fire broke out about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Smoke was very visible from Kelowna Saturday afternoon and evening. A helicopter with a water bucket and a water bomber were used to fight the blaze. Crews are optimistic they will be able to put it out. Today's Forecast  (Today 6:43 am) Forecast 5 am.  Sunny with cloudy periods. Wind light becoming west 10 to 15 km/h this afternoon. Local smoke dissipating this morning. High 25. Tonight - Cloudy periods. Wind light. Local smoke. Low 8.  Tuesday has 30% chance of showers.  Poor air quality this morning. URGENT REQUESTS Please stay off the telephone lines . Circuits are overloaded for emergency personnel.  9-11 Line jammed. Anyone needing an ambulance and not able to get through by calling 9-1-1 should call 860-0054. Boil water advisory - Black Mountain or SE Irrigation District. Officials request that people stay off the bridge so that emergency vehicles can cross.

CHAT FORUM FOR THE FIRE: http://www.okanagangirlz.com/forum/index.php?forum=17 Click HERE for Important Phone Numbers

INFORMATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WHO BELIEVE THEIR HOMES WERE DAMAGED FRIDAY NIGHT BY THE OKANAGAN MOUNTAIN PARK FIRE  (9:38)
An information meeting has now been arranged for residents who believe their properties were damaged in the wildfire which swept through the south end of the City Friday night.

Correction Issued. Highway 33 Closure has NOT Been Removed (8:41 pm)
The Regional District has corrected premature report of Highway 33 closure being removed. Highway 33 is still closed from the Springfield turnoff to Rock Creek.

Big White has been put on evacuation alert. Residents are NOT in any danger. There is only one way out of Big White, and fire officials on the mountain want to ensure their resident have a way out in case the fire does jump Highway 33 7:55 pm

More Pictures here: http://castanet.firewatch.net/firepictures/Media%20Pics/index.html

Additional Reception Centers Available (5:35 pm)
The Reception Centres in Kelowna will be open 24 hours a day until further notice. Evacuees can register for assistance, and receive food and water. Only one adult per family is needed to register.

A number of other reception centres are also available for people who are now out of town and wish to register as evacuees.

Vernon Recreation Centre
3310 37th Avenue
250-545-2156

Merritt Civic Centre
2185 A Voght St. (behind City Hall)
250-315-1050

Kamloops Sport Mart Place
250-372-0906

Salmon Arm Community Centre
2550 E. Trans Canada Highway
250-832-2463

Evacuated residents with last names beginning with the letters A to K should report to the Parkinson Recreation Centre at 1800 Parkinson Way.

Those with last names beginning with the letters L to Z should report to the new Kelowna Secondary School at 1079 Raymer Avenue.

If evacuees haven’t already registered at the reception centres, they are requested to do so. Registration is necessary so evacuees can be tracked by friends and family concerned about their whereabouts. If any services such as food, clothing, lodging or medication are required, registration is also necessary. In addition, the Provincial Emergency Program and Emergency Social Services need to keep track of the scope and size of the evacuation to provide for proper Emergency Financial Assistance from the provincial and federal governments.

Community support is most appreciated.  Anyone wishing to donate goods should contact: Salvation Army at 1-800-SAL ARMY

Anyone wishing to make a financial donation should contact: The Canadian Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070

Anyone wishing to volunteer their time should register at Kelowna Secondary School at 1079 Raymer Avenue.

All other donations should be coordinated through the Emergency Social Services at the Emergency Operation Centre in Kelowna at 250-868-2605.

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

Information for Property Owners Who Believe Their Homes Were Damaged Friday by the Fire (5:07 pm)
Form the Emergency Operations Centre 4:15 pm : City of Kelowna and Regional District Planning staff is working as quickly as possible to prepare information for residents on the status of their properties in the aftermath of the wildfire which swept through the south end of the City Friday night.

Staff is gathering data now to ensure they have correct information about which homes have not been affected by the fire, and which homes have unfortunately been lost.   They are using a combination of ground surveillance (going street to street) and aerial photography to compile accurate information on the status of each property in the affected neighborhoods.  The street to street checking depends on whether it is safe to go into an area because crews are still dealing with an active fire.  This is an ever changing situation because the fire has not been contained in all areas.

Residents who believe they are affected will be notified via the media about the date, time and location of a meeting to view maps of the affected areas.

This will be a meeting for residents only.  They will be required to bring identification showing ownership of property. 

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

New Alert and Evacuation Numbers  (1:45 pm)
The City of Kelowna Fire Department’s initial assessment of its major fire fighting efforts has determined that approximately 203 homes were lost Friday night. Most of the homes were located in the outer City limits on the south and easterly borders in the Okaview, Chute Lake, Trumpeter, Viewcrest and Curlew areas.  In the Kettle Valley subdivision, it’s believed only four homes couldn’t be saved.  Fire Chief Zimmermann says the fires were fierce and his crews worked extraordinarily hard in extremely difficult conditions. There were 175 firefighters and an additional 170 armed forces personnel, along with 50 fire trucks, deployed in the fight.  Ministry of Forests crews were also on scene assisting in the massive fire fighting effort.

This forest fire with its extremely dry fuel sources continues to challenge experts; it’s suggested only one fire like this would happened every 100 years. Forest fire fighting and emergency preparedness personnel say they’ve never experienced such an extraordinary fire with such severe implications.  With 26,000 residents forced from their homes this is believed to be the largest evacuation in the shortest period of time in Canada’s history. (Tom writes that he was involved in the evacuation of Mississauaga http://www.city.mississauga.on.ca/library/history/derail.htm that saw 200,000 evacuated in hours)

Due to the volatile conditions and the concern for resident’s safety there will be no day passes issued today. The situation will be assessed at 5 p.m. this evening to determine if some residents may be allowed back into their homes during the day tomorrow.

If evacuees haven’t already registered at the reception centres, they are requested to do so. Residents with last names beginning with A to K should register at Parkinson Recreation Centre and residents with last names beginning with L to Z should register at Kelowna Secondary School on Raymer Avenue behind the OUC KLO campus. If evacuees require assistance with lodging, food or clothing, registration is necessary. It also allows friends and family, as well as officials, to contact evacuees.  There are an estimated 3,000 local residents who have traveled to Kamloops for accommodation.  Those residents are being advised to register at the Kamloops Emergency Social Services facility in Sport Mart Place.

Please be advised that scheduled commercial flights are operating normally at Kelowna International Airport. All other aircraft movements are not permitted without prior approval of the Airport Manager. This is to ensure the airspace is kept clear for the aerial fire fighting operation involved with the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park forest fire.

 Kelowna Regional Transit buses are running in areas under Evacuation Alert.

Evacuation Order: (Out Of Their Homes): 26, 000 people - 9,000 homes

Evacuation Alert: (Be Ready To Leave) 15,000 residents 6,000 homes (25% of the City’s population)

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

Highlights from 11:00 am News Conference  11:44 am
Last night was probably the roughest night in Kelowna firefighting history according to fire Chief Jerry Zimmerman. The Okanagan Mountain Park Forest fire hit Kelowna city limits Friday and destroyed 203 houses. 68 homes were lost in the Crawford Estates area, four houses lost in Kettle Valley, about 100 homes gone in the Viewcrest, Okaview and Chute Lake area and 16 in the Barnaby and Lakeshore road area. Added to 15 homes that were destroyed earlier that brings the total to 203. The fire department is taking aerial photographs of the burnt out homes and will be offering them to local media so the public can see if their house was affected. Three Kelowna firefighters homes were lost in the fires Friday night as they tried to fight the blaze. The fire is now estimated at 19,000 hectares. There are 250 people are on the firelines along with military personnel. 13 helicopters and 109 pieces of heavy equipment are being used to fight the fire. Safety is the number one priority and some crews had to be taken out of the area last night for their own safety. There's little chance of rain in the forecast and officials are fighting eight major interface fires in the Kamloops fire centre area. That includes the Vaseaux Lake fire that started Friday afternoon and has scorched 1,000 hectares. Crews are making progress on that fire but it is far from contained.

Flights Operate Normally Today  (10:10 am)
Please be advised that scheduled commercial flights are operating normally at Kelowna International Airport. All other aircraft movements without prior approval of the Airport Manager are not permitted. This is to ensure the airspace is kept clear for the aerial fire fighting operation of the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park forest fire. Click for flight departures

No Day Passes For Evacuees Today (10:10 am)
In the interests of public safety, No Day Passes will be issued for any residents who are subject to an Evacuation Order as a result of the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park forest fire.   This area of concern is being constantly reviewed and any further change in status will be conveyed to the public through the media and through Emergency Social Service reception centres.

Vaseaux Lake Update (9:48 am)
The fire near Vaseaux lake in the South Okanagan is still burning this morning as of 9 am. There are helicopters on site fighting the blaze in a light wind. There's no estimate on the size of the fire which was started when an osprey nest at the top of a hydro pole fell to the ground, igniting dry grass and the utility pole. The fire is in the Shuttleworth creek Canyon area and residents of Okanagan Falls and the surrounding southeast area are on an evacuation alert. Firefighters dropped fire retardant on the blaze Friday afternoon which seems to have slowed it down.

Pet Care Efforts Ongoing 9:48 am
The Parkinson Rec Centre has been turned into a temporary home for about 400 animals who have been displaced because of the Okanagan Mountain Park forest fire. Spokesperson Terry Krisp says the SPCA on Casorso was evacuated Friday night and those animals are now in various locations. SCPA special constables are going back into evacuated areas to try and find any animals that may have been left behind in the huge evacuation of the south end of Kelowna last night. Krisp says there are animals of all shapes and sizes at the Rec Centre and she's looking for anyone who can temporarily house them. It's best to go down to the Rec Centre to see if you can help but you can also call 763-8732.

Castanet Does an Air Survey of Last Night's Damage (7:00 am to 8:30 am)
Castanet's Nick Frost was in the air this morning in an Air-Hart Airplane surveying the fire damage outside the no-fly zone.  Here is a summary of his observations.

Emergency Operations Center Update 7:45 am
After an evening of massive evacuations and fierce fire fighting the scene of the Okanagan Mountain Park fire is quieter this morning.  Fresh teams of firefighters are arriving from all parts of British Columbia and Alberta to assist with the efforts.  The BC Ambulance Service reports there were four firefighters treated and released for fire related minor injuries such as smoke inhalation, cuts and debris from the fire in an eye.  There were no serious or life-threatening injuries which is remarkable considering the ferocious nature of the fire.

The weather conditions early this a.m. appear to be favorable to the fire fighting effort.  There is little wind and smoke is hanging close to the fire area.  No flames are visible along the southern line, which is shrouded in smoke.

Officials from the Kelowna Fire Department and BC Fire Commissioners Office are touring the areas affected by the fire last night, preparing an accurate assessment of the number of homes that have been saved and the number that couldn’t be saved from the rapidly advancing fire, which was fanned by winds associated with a thunderstorm cell which passed through the area.  Rough and unofficial estimates by fire fighters on the scene suggest up to 300 homes may be lost.

Evacuees:
With the exodus of an estimated 20,000 people last night, evacuees are strongly urged to make sure that at least one member of their family registers today with Emergency Social Services.  Many people are reported to have taken motels out of town, for example in Kamloops.  Residents who hadn’t made their own arrangements for accommodation spent the night in Skyreach Place, Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna Secondary School and the Parkinson Recreation Centre.  Some are also being housed at the Vernon Recreation Complex.

The BC Ambulance Service advises that the transfer of more than 100 residents from the Sutherland Hills Rest Home went smoothly in conjunction with officials from the Interior Health Authority and the Handi-Dart bus service.  Five residents were transferred in three ambulances, while the remaining 97 residents were driven in IHA and Handi-dart vehicles.  They were taken to the Gateby Intermediate Care facility and the Alexander wing of Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

Morning Recap - One Third of Population Evacuated Today - 7:51 am
A massive wildfire burning in British Columbia's southern interior has forced one-third of Kelowna's population from their homes and placed more on alert. Roughly 30,000 people have left their homes in the Okanagan city. Another 8,000 people are on a one-hour evacuation notice.

Winds are fanning the flames of the blaze, which is more than 100 metres high in areas. Officials pulled some firefighters from the scene overnight because conditions were so unpredictable.

Police have set up roadblocks to keep people away from evacuated areas as the fire inches closer to the city. At least 15 homes in the city's Kettle Valley subdivision have been confirmed destroyed, with more damage expected.  Kelowna RCMP continue to maintain roadblocks in and around our city and patrol the areas that have been evacuated. Staff Sergeant Phil Boisenault says it as extremely busy Friday night with the mass evacuation taking place. Boisenault says they are having a real problem with people refusing to obey evacuation orders. He says that ties up police resources because they have to go back into the neighbourhoods and explain the legal ramifications of their actions. Boisenault says the action is placing other people's property at risk. He says police should be concentrating on patrolling evacuated neighbourhoods and attending to other emergencies.

Meanwhile fire crews are still monitoring fires all over the southern end of Kelowna. A number of structures have been lost overnight but we won't get a firm count until a press conference later this morning. The fire department says it has calmed down this morning. But crews are still overhauling areas that previously were on fire. The Emergency Operations Centre scales down to a skeleton crew overnight but should now be gearing up for another tough day.

Today's Forecast - Air Quality Today - 6:00 am
Today - Sunny with cloudy periods. Wind becoming southwest 15 to 25 km/h this morning. High 24. UV index 5 or moderate. Tonight - Clear. Wind southwest 15 to 25 km/h becoming light this evening. Local smoke. Low 7.

Air quality is 125 at 4 am.  Todays's forecast is 160 (poor).  Sunday is 130 (poor).  Air quality ratings are as follows 0-25 (good), 26-50 (fair) AND >50 (poor).  Breathing problems?  Residents with breathing disorders advised to stay in doors.

Highway 33 Closed  Today - 12:51 am
The Okanagan Mountain Park Fire evacuation has forced the closure of Highway 33 in Kelowna. The RCMP will have a roadblock at the Highway 33 and Highway 3 junction. Until further notice there will be no through traffic and travellers will be routed via Highway 97.
 

Street Names Included in Evacuation Orders August 22 - 10:53 pm
Names of streets included in today's orders.
Names of streets included in previous orders.

Names of streets between Mission Creek& Highway 33 on Evacuation Alert August 23 - 12:30 am

Streets included in the current Evacuation Alert.
 

Okanagan Mountain Park Fire Update August 22 - 10:55 pm
Captain Len Moody of the Kelowna Fire Department addressed officials in the Emergency Operations Centre at 9:45 tonight on efforts to battle the Okanagan Mountain Fire.

In his words the fire is a “war zone”, a firestorm category six. Firefighters are battling walls of flame 400 feet high. With wind gusts of 60 to 70 km. per hour pushing the fire at 100 metres per minute tonight, Captain Moody feels fortunate no lives were lost. In two instances firefighters were trapped with flames all around and through the efforts of their colleagues battled their way out.

Homes have been lost between Kettle Valley and Lakeshore Road. More details will be provided as they become available.

Plans are being finalized on the massive job of housing 30,000 people now out of their homes. People who can stay with friends and family are asked to do so. Those who have no other place to stay and require information on temporary accommodation may call the Public Information Line at 869-0386, or they may go to either the Parkinson Recreation Centre or Kelowna Secondary School on Raymer Avenue.

Skyreach Place on Water Street and Trinity Baptist Church on Springfield at Spall are both open to accept evacuees who have no accommodation arrangements. For anyone traveling north the Vernon Recreation Complex at 3310 37th Avenue is also open for evacuee assistance.

Three thousand people in Kelowna are on Evacuation Alert.

URGENT PUBLIC REQUESTS:
• Boil Water Advisory – Residents who obtain their drinking water from the Black Mountain Irrigation District and South East Kelowna Irrigation District are urged to boil all drinking water for human consumption or use bottled water. The chlorine cylinders that are normally used to treat water have been removed from the potential fire path and water for the two systems is not being treated.

• Please stay off the telephone lines, and please don’t use cellular phones, unless it is extremely urgent. All circuits are overloaded and emergency personnel are not able to access free lines. The 9-1-1 Emergency Line is jammed. Anyone needing an ambulance and not able to get through by calling 9-1-1 should call 860-0054.

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

NEW EVACUATION ORDER August 22 - 7:45 pm
The BC Fire Commissioners Office has issued a further evacuation order, in addition to the two already issued this evening.

The new evacuation order includes property from Okanagan Lake along the south side of Mission Creek; east along Mission Creek to Hollywood Road North, north on Hollywood Road North to Springfield Road, east on Springfield to Highway 33, north on Highway 33 to McKenzie Road, due north on McKenzie Road to Old Vernon Road at the end of Kelowna International Airport following the boundary of the Regional District of Central Okanagan; east on Old Vernon Road to Postill Lake Road, then east on Postill Lake Road to the eastern most boundary of the Regional District. The order boundary follows the east and south boundaries of the Regional District of Central Okanagan back to Okanagan Lake.

Evacuated residents with last names beginning with the letters A to K should report to the Parkinson Recreation Centre at 1800 Parkinson Way.

Those with last names beginning with the letters L to Z should report to the new Kelowna Secondary School at 1079 Raymer Avenue.

Tonight's Evacuation Order affects close to 20,000 people, bringing the total number of residents under evacuation to 30,000.

A new Evacuation Alert has been issued for all the residences located within the following descriptor: from the intersection of Swamp Road to Benvoulin Road, north to Casorso Road, northeast on Benvoulin Road to Highway 97, northeast on 97 to Highway 33, east on Highway 33 to McKenzie Road, north on McKenzie Road following a line to Old Vernon Road east on Old Vernon Road to Postill Lake Road and then east on Postill Lake Road to the eastern boundary of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. From the corner of Postill Lake Road and Old Vernon Road, north to Beaver Lake Road, east on Beaver Lake Road to the eastern boundary of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

Residents are advised to gather essential items such as medications, glasses, valuable papers and keepsakes such as photographs. Preparations should be made to move any disabled persons and children. Pets and livestock should be moved to a safe area.

As much advance notice as possible will be given should the need to evacuate occur, however limited notice may occur due to changing conditions.

URGENT PUBLIC REQUESTS:
Please stay off the telephone lines unless it is extremely urgent. All circuits are overloaded and emergency personnel are not able to access free lines.

The 9-1-1 Emergency Line is jammed. Anyone needing an ambulance and not able to get through by calling 9-1-1 should call 860-0054.

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.

EXPANDED EVACUATION ORDER August 22 - 6:15 pm
The BC Fire Commissioners Office has issued two more evacuation orders.

The first Evacuation Order is for residents living along Lakeshore Road on the west, Dehart Road on the north, Crawford Road on the east, Barnaby Road and Bellevue Creek on the south.

The second Evacuation Order is for residents living in the Sutherland Hills Rest Home at 3801 Hall Road.   The BC Ambulance Service is assisting with this evacuation.

Residents are asked to leave with any belongings as quickly as possible.  They are asked to take sleeping bags and pillows for each member of their family.

Evacuated residents with last names beginning with the letters A to K should report to the Parkinson Recreation Centre at 1800 Parkinson Way.

Those with last names beginning with the letters L to Z should report to the new Kelowna Secondary School at 1079 Raymer Avenue.

Read the full news release from the Emergency Operations Center here.
 

EXPANDED EVACUATION ORDER August 22 - 4:50 pm
The British Columbia Fire Commissioners Office has expanded the Evacuation Alert for the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park forest fire.

Now on Alert are residents living on Springfield Road from Ziprick Road, to Highway 33 on the north side, south and east on Highway 33 to the 201 Forestry Road and south and west on the 201 Forestry Road, including all of the McCulloch Lake area.

 This upgrade to alert status affects a sparsely populated rural area.

Residents are advised to gather essential items such as medications, glasses, valuable papers and keepsakes such as photographs. Preparations should be made to move any disabled persons and children. Pets and livestock should be moved to a safe area.

As much advance notice as possible will be given should the need to evacuate occur, however limited notice may occur due to changing conditions.

Last Updated Sunday, August 24 2003 @ 01:35 PM PDT; 2,184 Hits