Evacuated residents will remain out overnight

Photo: Meg Delyse

Contributed

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre advises that there will be no further anticipated changes in the Evacuation Order and Alert areas until mid-morning tomorrow at the earliest.

This is based on the need to ensure public safety and that all areas are safe before allowing residents to re-enter.

Local government staff has been and are continuing an extensive effort to identify and where possible remove hazards that could threaten the safety of residents. Among these hazards are dangerous trees, falling limbs and ground threats (unexpected holes) as well as ensuring infrastructure (electricity) is intact. There have also been small isolated active fires identified in the Evacuation area.

Emergency Operation Centre staff are consulting with and constantly reviewing conditions from the field and are working with Incident Commanders to provide guidance on when conditions are safe for residents to return to their homes.

The EOC recognizes the inconvenience faced by the estimated 258 evacuated residents and their families. There have not been any reported incidents of injuries so far from either first responders or the public. This is in line with the BC Emergency Management Program which makes safety the top priority. Everyone involved in the response to the Trepanier forest fire wants to keep that record intact.

It’s anticipated an update on the status of the Evacuation Order and Alerts will be available later tomorrow morning.

Evacuated residents may receive assistance with food, lodging and clothing by visiting the Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna. ESS will be available until 6:00 pm this evening and will re-open at 9:00 am Wednesday morning.

A comprehensive map of Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert areas is available on www.cordemergency.ca .

A total of 1,292 people are still on an Evacuation Alert.

BC Hydro continues to work in the fire zone removing hazard trees and replacing several poles damaged as a result of the fire. Power may be off for residents in the Coldham Road and Trepanier Road area, from Upton and Trepanier to end of Trepanier past Hwy 97C, until approximately 9:00 p.m. tonight for repairs to the electrical infrastructure.

The District of Peachland will be in setting up a Recovery Office to support residents who have been affected by the Trepanier Forest Fire. Contact information and further details will be provided on Wednesday.