400 properties evacuated near Peachland, Okanagan

A forest fire led to the complete closure of the 97C motorway and the evacuation of 400 properties in the Peachland region on Wednesday afternoon.

Traffic is cut over all 82.5 kilometers of this highway which links the cities ofAspen Grove and Peachland, noted Drive BC.

Part of motorway 97 is also prohibited for traffic.

An evacuation order was given for around 400 properties located between the east of the street Trepanier Benchthe south of the 97C motorway and the north of the 97 motorway. There are also 225 properties which are under an evacuation alert and their inhabitants must be ready to leave.

Evacuation orders will remain in force for 48 hours.

The inhabitants of this area are asked to prepare to be absent from their home for an extended period, to make arrangements for their pets and to take essential articles such as drugs and important documents with themcan we read the Okanagan Central District Emergency Services website.

Evacués can go to the Peachland Community Center or Royal Lepage Place in West Kelowna.

The mayor of the Peachland district, Patrick Van Minnsel, is one of the evacuated people. We ask our residents who have been evacuated to come here to registerhe explains from the city center of the city where he went after being forced to leave his house.

The evacuations take place in calm, according to him.

A fire of human origin

The fire Drought Hill started on Wednesday afternoon north of Peachland, said BC Wildfire. At 6:42 p.m., he extended over an area of 27 hectares and burned uncontrolled.

It would be of human origin, affirms BC Wildfire Who deployed 18 firefighters in support of the Peachland fire service. Three helicopters and tankers were also mobilized.

The region is also under a heat warning launched by Environment Canada.

The GRC De Kelowna said in a statement that helicopters use Lake Okanagan, directly near the fire, to refuel.

The police ask the boaters present on the water to move away from the area.

Boaters are asked to be vigilant and not to prevent aircraft from accessing the lake as part of their fire fighting effortssaid the press release.

The GRC Add that the closings of the 97 and 97C motorways are of indefinite duration.