(UPDATE: Sept. 27 @ 4:05 pm) - More Peachland residents can return to their homes as the evacuation order due to the Munro Lake wildfire has been reduced.
The evacuation order from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) now only covers properties in the industrial area of Peachland.
“Out of an abundance of caution, residents returning home should inspect their property and trees for any damage,” stated an EOC notice.
“No structural loss was reported, but property owners should start insurance claims if they suspect wildfire damage and report it as soon as possible to their insurance representative.”
The following addresses remain under an evacuation order:
The following addresses are now placed on evacuation Alert in addition to other Alerts already in place:
The wildfire grew on Friday and is now estimated to be 310 hectares in size.
With wind in the forecast, crews will continue to patrol the fire overnight.
(UPDATE: Sept. 27 @ 10:30 am) - The Munro Lake wildfire burning west of Peachland saw a decrease in fire behaviour overnight as some residents returned to their homes.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire displayed rank one and two fire behaviour overnight, meaning it burned as a surface and ground fire with a slow rate of speed.
A BCWS information officer told NowMedia that the blaze saw limited overnight growth and a more accurate size reading can be expected today. The blaze is currently still listed at 220 hectares in size.
Firefighters and structure protection personnel worked overnight at the blaze. Today, Crews and heavy equipment continue to prioritize work along the east flank of the fire.
Heavy equipment is also working along the northwest corner of the fire to build a guard.
“With the potential for strong southwest winds again today, Sept. 27, we may see an increase in fire behaviour throughout the day, especially if we start to see sunny conditions, as solar radiation dries out fuels, making them more susceptible to ignition,” stated the Saturday morning BCWS update.
A portion of the evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation alert Friday night, allowing some people to return to their homes.
According to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre, no structures have been lost in the wildfire.
In total, there are 61 BCWS personnel, three helicopters, heavy equipment and structure protection personnel working on the fire.
A detailed map of the evacuation orders and alerts can be found online at this link.
(UPDATE: Sept. 26 @ 7:15 pm) - A portion of the evacuation order due to the Munro Lake wildfire outside of Peachland has been downgraded to an evacuation alert.
According to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), firefighting efforts today established structural defences on the east flank of the fire, which is closest to residential properties.
“Emergency responders will patrol the fire overnight and will resume firefighting efforts Saturday morning,” added the EOC notice.
“No further changes to evacuation orders or alerts are anticipated this evening.”
A detailed map showing the evacuation orders and alerts can be found at this link.
The following Peachland addresses remain on the evacuation order:
The following addresses are on evacuation alert:
Peachland addresses:
Regional District of Central Okanagan addresses:
All properties accessed off Log Chute Road
(UPDATE: Sept. 26 @ 9:52 am) - The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has provided its first update of the day on the Munro Lake wildfire burning west of Peachland.
The EOC confirmed that all evacuation orders and alerts issued Thursday evening will remain in place at this time as crews from Peachland, Kelowna and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) continue to work to suppress the fire.
According to the EOC, the fire saw limited growth overnight and structural defences have been established.
"With some wind in the forecast and dry conditions, particular attention will be paid to maintaining the east flank, nearest Peachland properties," stated the EOC update.
"Increased smoke can be expected."
Evacuated residents needing assistance are encouraged to create a profile at this link. Those looking for in-person support can go to the Peachland Community Centre at 4450 6th St.
Volunteers will be on site at the community centre beginning at 10 am.
(UPDATE: Sept. 26 @ 9:00 am) - The Munro Lake wildfire burning west of Peachland saw no overnight growth, according to the community’s mayor.
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel added that cooler temps overnight helped crews fighting the blaze as it displayed rank two behaviour overnight, meaning it burned as a low vigour surface fire with a slow rate of spread.
The BC Wildfire Service's (BCWS) latest size estimate has the fire pegged at 220 hectares in size, which likely reflects previously-unmapped growth Thursday night before the overnight period. The first remains out of control.
Friday’s weather is expected to bring strong southwest winds along with sunny conditions, which means there could be an increase in fire behaviour.
“Overnight crews worked along Princeton Avenue, as well as along the south flank of the fire, to make access for heavy equipment,” wrote the BCWS.
“Today, Sept. 26, crews and heavy equipment will be working on the southeast corner of the fire to establish a guard. Aerial resources will be supporting throughout the day.”
The evacuation order for 325 addresses and the two alerts for more than 1000 properties remain in place. More information on those is available here.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 10:04 pm) - The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has issued an evacuation alert for more properties within the District of Peachland.
The EOC has stood down for the evening and will reopen at 8 am on Friday.
The following properties are now on evacuation alert:
A detailed map of the area covered by the current evacuation alert and order can be found online at this link.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 8:24 pm) - More than a thousand addresses have been placed on an evacuation alert because of the Munro Lake wildfire burning west of Peachland.
Crews on the ground will be working overnight and the fire is displaying rank two behaviour with pockets of rank three, "meaning a moderate to low vigorous surface fire with a slow to moderate rate of spread."
The evacuation alert includes the following 1,088 addresses within the District of Peachland:
The following 23 addresses within the Regional District of Central Okanagan are on evacuation alert:
A detailed map of the evacuation alert area can be found online at this link.
Anyone within the evacuation order should:
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 6:24 pm) - More than 300 addresses have been ordered to evacuate because of the Munro Lake wildfire burning west of Peachland.
The evacuation order issued by the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre includes the following addresses:
Peachland addresses:
Regional District of Central Okanagan addresses:
Log Chute Rd
Residents included in the evacuation order should leave their properties immediately and an Emergency Support Services (ESS) muster centre is open to receive evacuees at the Peachland Community Centre at 450 6th St.
Evacuees should:
A detailed map of the evacuation order area can be found online at this link.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the blaze is now estimated to be 74.3 hectares in size.
Airtankers are attacking the northeast flank of the fire to slow its spread. Ground crews are at the site and will be working into the evening.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 4:45 pm) - The new wildfire just west of Peachland remains an estimated 10 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service's (BCWS) latest update.
There are four helicopters assigned to the incident, assisting local firefighters and BCWS ground personnel.
The Central Okanagan's emergency operations centre has been activated, but no evacuation alerts or orders are in place at this time.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 3:27 pm) – Crews in the air and on the ground are responding to a wildfire approximately six kilometres southwest of Peachland.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire is out of control and estimated to be 10 hectares in size.
Strong winds are resulting in the fire currently displaying rank three and four fire behaviour, which means it is a “moderately to highly vigorous surface fire with torching and a moderate to fast rate of spread.”
BCWS and Peachland Fire Department ground crews are on site and working to establish access while also assessing objectives.
Alongside the crews on the ground are airtankers and four helicopters responding to the incident.
(Original story: Sept. 25 @ 2:55 pm) – A wildfire has started outside of Peachland.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the blaze is out of control and burning near the Munro Lake Forest Service Road.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
NowMedia has reached out to the BCWS for more details.
