WEST KELOWNA -- An evacuation alert remains for 80 properties along Bear Creek and neighbouring roads due to a fire that started near the provincial park Sunday afternoon and grew to more than two hectares by nightfall.
Residents 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," according to the Regional District of the Central Okangan.
Twenty-four B.C. Forestry Service firefighters will remain on the ground overnight to monitor the fire. Residents have been told "that fire and smoke can appear more threatening at night” but fire crews are working to contain the blaze.
Air tankers and helicopters worked Sunday afternoon and evening to establish "a fire retardant box around the fire."
Residents from the intersection of Parkinson Road north, including Bear Creek Road, Bear Creek Main, Rose Valley Road, Petterson Road and Dougmac Road are on evacuation alert. Bear Creek Main at Westside Road and Bear Creek Road at Parkinson Road are closed to traffic.
New information will be released after 10 a.m. once fire personnel have time to assess the fire in the light of day.
The most current confirmed information is available at cordemergency.ca.
Firefighters are also battling a second fire that is north of Lake Okanagan Resort and south of the La Casa residential community.
RCMP have asked boaters to stay clear of the area around Bear Creek Park so B.C. Forest Service air tankers and helicopters can safely access water from Okanagan Lake.
West Kelowna Fire Department and the BC Forest Service are investigating, but the cause of the fire has not been determined.
