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Peachland  

Evacuation alerts lifted near Upper Trepanier fire

Evacuation alert lifted

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting that the Jack Creek wildfire is now classified as held.

That means the fire is not expected to grow under current conditions.

As a result, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has rescinded the evacuation alert for 17 properties along Maxwell Road.

Despite the evacuation alert being lifted, residents and visitors in the Central Okanagan are reminded the fire hazard remains high and conditions are dry. If you see smoke from a wildfire, report it at *5555 from a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555. If there is threat to life call 9-1-1.

A regional campfire ban remains in effect in Central Okanagan fire jurisdictions.

All campfires are prohibited in the City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas serviced by the Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside and Wilson’s Landing fire departments. Campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna.


UPDATE 9:00 a.m.

BC Wildfire Service personnel are back battling the Jack Creek wildfire that is burning above the upper Trepanier area Friday morning.

BCWS spokesperson Melanie Bibeau says the fire remains listed at 7.3 hectares as of Friday morning and there are 15 ground personnel on the scene working to get the blaze under control.

Bobeau says there were four helicopters fighting the fire on Thursday and a similiar niumber is expected to be back battling the blaze today.

"We will be having helicopters returned to assist and support today."

Bibeau says there are several different factors that determine how many and what type of aircarft are used to fight wildfires, "that is kind of dependent on fire behaviour, the weather that we're seeing and terrain, there's lots of different factors."


ORIGINAL 5:00 a.m.

Seventeen properties in the Upper Trepanier area of rural Peachland remain on evacuation alert due to a wildfire burning nearby.

The Jack Creek wildfire is estimated at 7.3 hectares in size after growing slightly on Thursday.

The fire is burning on the slopes of Mount Miller, forcing homes along Maxwell Road—north of the Trepanier Road exit on Highway 97C—onto evacuation alert Wednesday night.

Ground crews as well as firefighting aircraft were attacking the fire all day Thursday and will return Friday.

The public is being asked to avoid the Maxwell Road area to allow crews to work.

The fire is still classified as out of control.

This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest on the fire.



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