A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna, and evacuations are underway in two neighbourhoods, as two wildfires flared to life late Thursday evening.
It’s thought that embers from the nearby McDougall Creek wildfire sparked the new fires, aided by gusting winds, crossing Okanagan Lake.
That blaze — last sized at 1,100 hectares earlier Thursday, but will be much, bigger than that come the next estimate — is highly visible from Kelowna, with its flames dominating the night.
In fact, embers from the fire floated well past Kelowna International Airport, which is eight kilometres directly east of Okanagan Lake.
Regarding the two new wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service listed them as spot fires late Thursday night.
One fire is located just north of Knox Mountain Park — site of a wildfire on Canada Day that was quickly doused. The second spot fire is north of McKinley Landing.
Just before midnight, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said “spot fires have been reported in Kelowna. Crews are on scene doing tactical evacuations.”
A few minutes later, at 12:10 a.m., it said Kelowna fire crews are responding to spot fires coming across Okanagan Lake from the McDougall Creek wildfire.
“Residents in the Clifton Road north and McKinley neighbourhoods are asked to evacuate,” said Emergency Operations.
“Residents along the west side of Glenmore Road from McKinley Beach to John Hindle Road have been put on evacuation alert.”
For a list of affected roads, visit Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
It’s unknown how many residents are under either evacuation alerts or evacuation orders.
“Due to unpredictable fire behaviour, it is critical that all residents evacuate for their safety and the safety of first responders in the area,” said Emergency Operations.
Evacuees are asked to register online and to find temporary lodging with family or friends, or visit a reception centre (Salvation Army, 1480 Sutherland Ave.).
And just before 1 a.m., the City of Vernon said it was opening up its emergency services reception centre at Kal Tire Place (3445 43rd Ave.) to evacuees in West Kelowna and Kelowna.
Those residents are asked to register online.
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