After burning for over 20 days, the terrace mountain fire is currently 40% contained. Sitting at 8500 hectares in size, this fire has over 400 ground crew, 17 helicopters and 90+ pieces of heavy equipment fighting it. Residents from Traders Cove and nrth Bear Creek Road were allowed to return home today after their areas were downgraded to evacuation alerts. The District of West Kelowna will continue to release news as it becomes available on their website, at http://www.districtofwestkelowna.ca/fire.aspx.
Below, watch some interesting video footage of the fire fighting efforts from the air. Castanet reports boaters are impeding the efforts of helicopters fighting the fire – please stay at least 400 meters from the shore in the fire areas. In fact, officials are suggesting that boats stay away from there areas entirely. Police will be patrolling the waters to make sure this rule is enforced.
With over 400 personell on this fire, and considering just a couple days ago it was 80% contained, the Terrace Mountain Fire is the epitome of the phrase “never underestimate mother nature”. Water bombers are working the fire today, and 16 helicopters have been flying constantly during daylight hours. 2,500 residents have been evacuated since the fire shifted, with the southern side being the most active as of late. Crews are working to subdue the hot spots and to prevent the perimeter of the fire from flaring up.
Terrace Mountain Fire - August 2nd
A new evacuation order has been issued for 1,500 residents in the Caesar’s Short Notice and Wilson’s Landing areas – Trader’s Cove Evacuation Areas and the district lots off South Terrace Main. Castanet.net reports these communities are effected by the expanded evacuation alert:
- Caesar’s Landing
- Nahun
- Shelter Cove
- District lots off South Terrrace Main
- Wilson’s Landing
- Trader’s Cove
- Bear Creek Main to Bear Lake
- Bear Creek Provincial Park.
- Caesar’s Landing
- Nahun
- Shelter Cove
- District lots off South Terrrace Main
- Wilson’s Landing
- Trader’s Cove
- Bear Creek Main to Bear Lake
- Bear Creek Provincial Park.
The Terrace Mountain fire flared up this afternoon, and an Evacuation Order has been put into effect for 1,200 residents in the Fintry area – residents who continued to be on evacuation alert.
Residents from Muirallen Estates, Fintry Delta, Upper Fintry/Dunwaters Estates, Valley of the Sun and La Casa are asked to leave their homes and head south along Westside Road.
Evacuees can proceed to Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School to register and receive assistance with food and lodging.
If you can provide a temporary place for Terrace Mountain Fire evacuees, please notify Mount Boucherie Secondary School.
Sitting at 4500 ha in size, crews report that the fire is now 50% contained, yet still to be considered ‘out of control’. The resources on this fire are immense – 250 fire fighters, 16 helicopters and 89 pieces of heavy equipment make up the fire fighting contingent for this fire.
Kelowna.com posted this video a couple days ago with aerial views of the Terrace Mountain Fire…
Tags: evacuating animals
Due to favourable weather and overnight efforts of fire fighters, On Saturday morning at 8am approximately 1200 residents will be let back into their homes near the Fintry/Terrace mountain fire. The following areas will be open to residents, yet are still on short notice evacuation alert.
- Marchbank
- Killiney Beach
- Aspen Shores
- Summersands
- Estamont
- Ewings Landing
- Nahun
- Caesar’s Landing
- Shelter Cove
The rain seems to have helped, as shown on Castanet with thermal imaging. Emergency crews are asking the boaters stay at least 400 meters away from the fires when on the water, as planes and helicopters need that space to refill. There are now 175 firefighters and 7 helicopters and 36 pieces of heavy equipment working this fire. At last report it is 20% contained, but still burning at a rank 3 status. Estimated at 4400 ha, the fire has resulted in heavy amounts of smoke in the Kelowna and surrounding areas. Interior Health has released some information that should help you cope with the heavy smoke. You can also see the current air quality rating at airhealthbc.ca.
Castanet reports new evacuation orders are now in place for Plan DD7059F, District Lot 4234 and District Lot 4236.
Updated evacuation order list:
Updated evacuation alert list:
Fire fighters have been dispatched to a reported lightning strike in the Scotty Creek area that has sparked a small fire behind the Kelowna International Airport. Another lightning strike reported at Big White Ski Resort – details extremely limited at this moment, 2:09pm July 23.
UPDATE – 3:04pm – Sounds like crews have extinguished the fire in Scotty Creek by the airport.