Trepanier Forest Fire Update – News Release No. 8

posted by: Public Info. Officer   at Monday, September 10, 2012 12:24:00 PM

 

The Emergency Operations Centre has confirmed that three homes in the District of Peachland and one abandoned home in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area have been lost as a result of the Trepanier Forest Fire. Numerous outbuildings have also been impacted. Emergency personnel are continuing to formulate a detailed damage assessment and are in the process of notifying affected property owners. Victim Witness Services are working with Emergency Support Services to offer assistance to the families affected.

A Unified Command has been established with Peachland Fire Chief Grant Topham and representatives of the BC Wildfire Management Branch and RCMP. Peachland Fire Department is receiving support from BC Forestry and neighbouring fire departments including West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Summerland, Penticton, North Westside, Ellison and Joe Rich. Search and Rescue and RCMP worked together to perform safe evacuations and alerts of our residents.

At this time there has been no change to existing evacuation orders and alerts. Approximately 1,550 people have been ordered to evacuate, with a further 432 placed on evacuation alert. Complete maps of evacuated areas are available on the cordemergency.ca website.

The fire is estimated at 200 hectares and is 50 per cent contained. Approximately 65 structural firefighters, 70 BC Wildfire Management Branch Firefighters, 17 structural fire apparatus and six helicopters and four water tenders are actioning the fire today.

RCMP and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers continue to staff checkpoints to ensure security within the Evacuation Area.  Until the Evacuation Order is rescinded, no one will be allowed within the area unless authorized by emergency personnel.

Kelowna and West Kelowna RCMP continue to maintain security of the affected area. The RCMP is supporting the emergency operations actioning this forest fire. The RCMP’s primary responsibilities are to keep the public safe and uphold the law. The RCMP continues to provide policing service to areas not affected by the fire and is working with government agencies and volunteers to ensure everyone’s safety.

New information and updates on the Evacuation Orders and Alerts will be available on the Regional District Emergency Program website www.cordemergency.ca  and updates will also be there and released to the media as soon as it becomes available. Media can contact (250) 469-8493 if needed. Public inquiries can be directed to 1-877-569-84