Nk’Mip Creek wildfire: Osoyoos Indian Band rescinds evacuation order for handful of addresses

The Osoyoos Indian Band has rescinded an evacuation order and replaced it with an evacuation alert for a handful of addresses affected by the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire.

The affected addresses include the following businesses on Rancher Creek Road: Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Spirit Ridge Resort, Sonora Dunes Golf Course and Nk’Mip Winery.

The other two addresses are 2000 Valleyview Drive (The Residences) and 600 Rancher Creek Road.

“On the south end of the reserve, we’re feeling much better,” said Mike Campol, chief operating officer for the Osoyoos Indian Band. “We’ve rescinded the evacuation orders there, but kept the alert in place.”

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Campol said that allows Spirit Ridge to open their doors to 100 firefighters who arrived from Mexico today, adding they’ll be put on duty on Sunday.

Asked how stressful it’s been, Campol said “information is coming in quickly and constantly, and we’re just trying to stay ahead of it as far as making sure our (band) members are safe, our businesses are safe, and that we’re putting out the right information as we get it.”

While those addresses are under evacuation alert, hundreds remain under evacuation orders that were issued either by the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) or the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.

Even more addresses remain under evacuation alerts that are still in effect. More information is available on the RDOS website.

As of Saturday morning, the fire was listed at 6,800 hectares, the same size it was on Friday.

The fire had previously been estimated at 2,000 hectares, but it tripled in size after smoky skies cleared, allowing for more accurate mapping.

3:16 Nk”Mip Creek fire grows and continues to threaten homes

On Saturday, the RDOS will be hosting a 2 p.m., update on wildfires in the area.

The broadcast will be streamed to the RDOS YouTube channel.

In related news, the RDOS announced on Saturday morning, just after 11 a.m., that it had expanded an evacuation order in Electoral Area C.

The RDOS says the expanded order now includes the addresses of 1266 McKinney Road and 5900 McKinney Road, and that police and search and rescue will be expediting notifications and enforcement.

The RDOS added that the previously issued evacuation order of July 20 remains in effect.