Quilpituk Creek Wildfire Information Update

Quilpituk Creek Wildfire

Central Okanagan West Electoral Area, B.C.  – The evacuation orders for the 2,648 properties and evacuation alerts for 312 properties in the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire area will remain in place overnight.

The BC Wildfire Service currently lists the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire at 1,139 hectares and out of control. There are no known structure losses at this time.

Firefighters, heavy equipment operators, structure protection personnel and aerial resources continue working on the wildfire. Smoke from other wildfires burning throughout the region continues to impact the area. While reducing air quality, the smoke has helped fire behaviour by limiting daytime heating. Overall, fire behaviour is expected to remain low across much of the incident area, although periods of increased activity may occur along the southern flank if winds strengthen this evening.

Crews continue making progress strengthening containment lines around the wildfire. Heavy equipment is being used to build and improve control lines, while firefighters may conduct small-scale planned ignitions to remove unburned fuel and reinforce containment where conditions allow. BC Hydro crews continue supporting response efforts by addressing damaged electrical infrastructure and helping improve safe access for firefighters working on the incident.

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.

  • View the BC Hydro outage map for information on power outages in the area.

  • 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.

  • Subscribe for notifications at coemergency.ca/subscribe and follow Central Okanagan Emergency Management on X (@CO_Emerg) and Facebook (facebook.com/coemergencymanagement) for the latest information.

  • 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.

  • Visit ESS.gov.bc.ca to register or learn more.