Wildfire under control in Kelowna, B.C., but evacuation alerts remain in effect
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The nearly seven-hectare Knox Mountain wildfire just north of downtown Kelowna, B.C., is now considered under control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
But an evacuation alert for properties around Knox Mountain Park will remain in place, according to authorities, and the park itself will be closed for several more days.
"The situation will be reassessed on Tuesday," West Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Judith Bertrand said in a statement on Sunday. "Although the wildfire appears to be under control, it is important for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles to stay out of the park for the next few days."
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The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said in a statement residents are prohibited from entering the active fire zone, which covers an estimated area of 6.5 hectares because it is still possible a new fire could break out.
"We're still dealing with flare-ups and burning tree roots which can cause ember-filled sinkholes," said Sandra Follack, deputy fire chief of the Kelowna Fire Department, on Sunday morning.
"People and their pets must stay out of the area for the safety of themselves and to avoid interfering with our fire crews and potentially creating a new incident."
The statement from the EOC says people can face fines of up to $500 if they enter an active fire zone.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says it suspects human activity caused the fire, which was discovered around 2 p.m. on Canada Day and was highly visible for those celebrating the occasion along Okanagan Lake.
An evacuation order was initially issued for more than 400 properties in the Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton neighbourhoods on Sunday, but within three hours that was downgraded to an alert as firefighting helicopters and planes spraying fire retardant helped bring the fire under control.
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Nonetheless, a local state of emergency is expected to remain in place for the city beyond the long weekend, according to the emergency operations centre.
"With that response, we were able to implement a fuel-free [fire] guard and wet lines around the fire," said Aydan Coray, a fire information officer. "[It's] essentially just removing the fuel ... and putting a water delivery system surrounding fire."
Knox Mountain is a popular destination for tourists, and there are several residential subdivisions in the area. It is just two kilometres north of downtown Kelowna, a city of 150,000 people.
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Coray thanked the public for promptly reporting the new fire on Canada Day — many through the service's mobile app to notify officials of new blazes.
On Sunday, she said that lighter winds than the previous day "are helping to hold the fire perimeter."
The emergency operations centre urged residents under an evacuation alert should pack a wildfire go bag.
An evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes, possibly with little to no notice. An evacuation order — which was initially but briefly issued in this instance — means residents should leave immediately.
This article was originally published for CBC News. Thumbnail courtesy of the B.C. Wildfire Service.
