Precautionary evacuation alert issued for West Kelowna area wildfire

A highly-visible wildfire burning around 15 kilometres north of West Kelowna has prompted a precautionary evacuation alert and road closure.

BC Wildfire Service said the Bald Range Creek wildfire, located on the west side of Okanagan Lake,  is now mapped at four hectares.

The fire was spotted just after 6 p.m. Monday and by 9 p.m. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations had issued a evacuation alert out of “an abundance of caution.”

The alert covers  18 properties for Electoral Area West from 3985 to 4069 Westside Road.

“Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice,” reads the alert.

“They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.”

An evaluation of the situation is ongoing and specific details will be released as they are confirmed and the map updated.

Emergency Support Services mobilized at Okanagan Lake Resort for the time being.

Motorists are advised that Westside Road will be affected by traffic control.

Drive BC has indicated that the road is closed for six kilometres, from north of Lake Okanagan resort to Caesars Landing.

2:31 Heat, dry conditions and lightning strikes fuel B.C. wildfire season

Earlier in the night, the Wildfire Service had said that aircraft were using water bombers and  asked the public to leave the area immediately.

“Boaters must stay back so aircraft can conduct their work safely,” The BC Wildfire Service wrote in a tweet.

Under B.C.’s Wildfire Act, a boater getting in the way of firefighting aircraft could face a violation ticket fine of $1,150 or an administrative penalty of up to $100,000.

Violators could also be charged with an offence under the Wildfire Act, which carries a maximum fine of $100,000.