Trepanier Forest Fire Update – News Release No. 9

posted by: Public Info. Officer   at Monday, September 10, 2012 5:20:00 PM

 

Approximately 1,134 Peachland residents evacuated as a result of the Trepanier Forest Fire will be able to return home tonight. Thanks to favourable weather conditions and excellent firefighting efforts, a portion of the area under Evacuation Order has been reclassified to an Evacuation Alert area. Although residents on the following roads are free to return to their homes, they are reminded that they are on Evacuation Alert and must still be prepared to leave with little notice:

  • Peachland Elementary School
  • Clements Crescent, including the commercial area
  • Chidley Road
  • 5091 Cousins Place
  • 1 property north of Highway 97 next to 4713 MacKinnon Road
  • 4713, 4850, 5126 MacKinnon Road
  • 1st Avenue
  • 2nd Avenue
  • 3rd Avenue
  • 4th Avenue
  • 6th Avenue
  • 7th Avenue
  • Pincushion Place
  • Ponderosa Drive
  • Ponderosa Place
  • Clarence Road
  • Greata Road
  • Lang Road
  • Lornell Crescent
  • Lornell Court
  • MacNeill Court
  • Morrison Crescent
  • Morrison Place
  • Shaw Road
  • Sutherland Road
  • Walker Road
  • The following properties on Trepanier Bench Road:
    • 5149, 5151, 5155, 5161, 5165, 5178, 5180, 5217, 5227, 5237, 5329, 5240, 5250, 5260, 5270, 5280, 5290, 5325, 5335
  • The following properties on Huston Road:
    • 5108, 5122, 5132, 5136
    • 5146, 5164, 5178, 5192, 5200, 5208, 5216, 5224, 5232
    • 5236, 5242, 5246, 5250, 5256, 5262, 5274, 5280, 5286, 5292
    • 5300, 5334, 5348, 5350, 5352, 5354, 5356, 5358

Returning residents are reminded that fire crews will be working in the Evacuation Alert area and to be cautious as emergency crews and equipment may be accessing roads and properties. Residents can expect to see smoke, small open flame or embers. Emergency crews will be monitoring the area through the night. Residents are encouraged to be patient as they may encounter traffic congestion.

 

416 people remain on Evacuation Order. Complete maps of evacuated areas are available on the www.cordemergency.ca website.

 

The Evacuation Alert involving properties east of Highway 97 has now been lifted, including the downtown and waterfront areas from Princeton Avenue to Robinson Place, affecting 432 people.

 

The fire is estimated at 200 hectares in size and is 50% contained.

 

The three homes within the District of Peachland that were destroyed in the fire are:

  • 5315 Coldham Road (2 residences)
  •  5266 Coldham Road

A fourth home within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area that appears to have been abandoned was also destroyed. Various outbuildings and vehicles have also been impacted.

 

Emergency Support Services will be closing its reception centre at the Westbank Lions Hall at 6 p.m. tonight, reopening at 9 a.m. tomorrow, September 11, 2012.

 

For information regarding Peachland Elementary and bussing, please visit www.sd23.bc.ca.

 

New information and updates on the Evacuation Orders and Alerts will be available on the Regional District Emergency Program websitewww.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 1-877-569-8490.