New and old wildfires prompt evacuation orders in South Okanagan

Hundreds of properties in the South Okanagan and Similkameen regions are under evacuation order because of two wildfires.

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire is burning southwest of Okanagan Falls.

In the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, 64 properties are under evacuation order in Area I and 22 on alert, in Area G, 19 are under order and one is under alert, and in Area C, 174 are under order and 223 under alert, communication officer Erick Thompson said at a media briefing this afternoon, Aug. 18.

According to the most recent information, the fire is estimated to have burned 100 hectares, however BC Wildfire fire information officer Shaelea Stearns said its been difficult to make accurate estimates due to the amount of smoke.

“Crews mainly today are focusing on structure protection and triaging and assessing that and setting up where is necessary,” Stearns said.

Upper Park Rill was discovered around 6 a.m. today, Aug. 18, and human activity is the suspected cause. 

The Crater Creek wildfire, 18 southwest of Keremeos, has 189 properties under evacuation alert and 19 under order. It’s burned an estimated 22,000 hectares.

Crater Creek was discovered July 22, and lightning is the suspected cause.

"This has been an aggressive new start for this fire," Stearns said. 

She said crews are seeing extremely aggressive fire behaviour as winds remain strong today, but temperatures are slightly cooler compared to earlier this week.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.