Quilpituk Creek Wildfire Information Update

Quilpituk Creek Wildfire

Central Okanagan West Electoral Area, B.C.  – The evacuation orders for the 2223 properties and evacuation alerts for 425 properties in the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire area will remain in place today.

The BC Wildfire Service currently lists the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire at 742 hectares and out of control. While the fire continues to grow, it is spreading upslope and to the northwest, away from nearby communities at this time.

Crews worked through the night, using helicopters equipped with night vision technology to cool hot spots and limit fire growth. Today, firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft will continue building and strengthening control lines, removing hazardous trees and directly attacking the fire along its edges.

Fire activity is currently low to moderate, with mostly smouldering and surface fire behaviour. Forecasted warm temperatures and changing conditions over the coming days may lead to increased fire activity.

 

We know residents want to return home, and we want that too. Evacuation orders will remain in place until it is safe to return, including addressing hazards such as damaged utilities, hazard trees and unsafe road conditions. 

 

Westside Road remains closed heading north at Caesars Landing and heading south at highway 97 and Westside Road. Updated information is available at Drive BC.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

  • Continue to monitor coemergency.ca for updates on evacuation orders and alerts and use coemergency.ca/map to check your address and determine whether your property is affected.

  • If you are on evacuation alert, be prepared to leave if conditions change. Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit, gather important documents and medications, make a plan for pets and livestock, know how to shut off utilities at your property, review your insurance coverage and ensure you have an evacuation plan for your household. 

  • Stay well clear of wildfire aircraft operating on and around Okanagan Lake. If you see firefighting aircraft working on the lake, move out of the area immediately and stay close to shore until operations have passed.

  • If you observe fire activity outside of designated or expected areas, report wildfires by calling *5555, or dial 911 for fires within city limits. 

  • To reach the call centre at the Emergency Operations Centre, call 250-469-8490.

ESS SUPPORTS 

  • Evacuated and not yet registered with ESS? Register through the ERA tool at ESS.gov.bc.ca. In-person assistance is available at the Westbank Lions Community Centre (2466 Main St., West Kelowna).

  • Need to renew ESS supports? If you received an e-transfer, call 1-800-387-4258 and have your file number ready. If you are staying in a hotel, ESS will contact you directly regarding extensions.

  • Need other renewals or in-person support? Visit the ESS reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Centre. 

  • Need overnight lodging? Group lodging is available at Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Rd., West Kelowna). RVs and trailers can park overnight at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Rd., West Kelowna) and access services at Royal LePage Place.

  • Overnight support at Westbank First Nation's Sensisyusten House of Learning has closed, and evacuees are being redirected to Royal LePage Place Arena.