Some residents who live in the farming community of Meadow Valley west of Summerland are defying an evacuation order to protect their properties and care for livestock.
On Sunday afternoon first responders went door to door to evacuate 55 properties.
Seventy-five people have registered at the Emergency Social Services reception centre in the Summerland Arena.
Lindsey Ross was tending to his horses at a ranch under an evacuation order when he spoke to Global News.
He said he is worried about the wellbeing of his horses at the farm, which is approximately one kilometre from the fire.
“Big deal for everybody, I mean it’s scary,” he said.
Rick Avdich, who lives on upper Fish Lake road, is also staying behind.
“If I start to see flames and the power goes out, I’m out of here.”
Avdich said emergency officials warned residents to abide by the order.
“They basically said that if you don’t heed the order and you stay then there is nobody that is going to come to help you or rescue you, you’re on your own.”
Others have turned on the sprinklers full blast to soak their properties in an effort to stop the flames in their tracks.
A road block limits access to the area at Fish Lake Road and Meadow Valley Road.
In the rural community of Faulder just west of Summerland, an additional 97 properties are under an evacuation alert.
Tony Schmidt lives on Fish Lake Road and is preparing to leave if the conditions worsen.
“Kind of making an inventory list of belongings and stuff, you know in case it gets that nasty. Other than that the motor home is packed up with clothes, documents and anything that is important,” he said.
Summerland mayor Peter Waterman is urging residents to abide by evacuation orders.
“I think evacuation orders are given for good reason,” he said.
Waterman said the winds are pushing the 1,500 hectare wildfire south, closer to Summerland.
“The winds right now have been moving to the south from the north so it probably is coming in this direction abit.”
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen said in a release that the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) can assist with the rescue and shelter of animals.
Homeowners and ranchers affected by the Finlay Creek wildfire can contact CDART locally at 250-215-3259 for assistance with their animals. This includes pets, horses and livestock.
If pets have been left at an evacuated home, CDART can assist in safe retrieval.
Horses and livestock can be taken to the BC Livestock Producers Co-op Stockyard at 5353 Hawthorne Pl in Okanagan Falls, B.C.
The RDOS said livestock and horse owners are responsible to bring their own feed for their animals.
The release said water is available on site and owners should place their contact information on individual pens.
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