Westside Road about 5k N of Lk Okanagan Resort

[Lazarus]

Is Westside Rd. still closed?

Yes it is.

Latest CORD release:

http://www.cordemergency.ca/CM/Page3353.aspx?Panel=Reading&EntryID=6001403

Shelter Cove Westside Road News Release 16
posted by: Public Info. Officer at Friday, July 24, 2015 7:08:00 AM

The cooler temperatures overnight was welcomed by those fighting the Shelter Cove-Westside Road wildfire.

The BC Wildfire Service monitored the blaze which is estimated at 460-hectares.

In the interest of public safety, the Evacuation Order for the Shelter Cove/Westside Road wildfire remains in effect for approximately 70 properties along Westside Road.

Those within the Evacuation area are along Westside Road from Denison Road north to La Casa Resort (but not including La Casa), as well as the following roads: Denison Road, Shelter Cove Road and Deighton Road.

Incident Command will determine today’s plan of attack and the most effective deployment of resources to continue fighting this active fire.

Emergency officials are constantly assessing possible changes in the status of the Evacuation Order based on a variety of conditions including fire behaviour, weather and degree of containment. The inconvenience and stress posed to those people forced from their accommodation and homes is always top of mind. Any change to the Evacuation Order will be made only when it is safe to do so.

There are no Evacuation Alerts associated with this fire. Neither La Casa Resort nor Lake Okanagan Resort are under the Evacuation Order or an Alert at this time.

RCMP members continued security patrols in the evacuation area through the night.

The Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre will open again this morning at 8:30 a.m.

ESS advises that if and when the Evacuation Order is lifted and affected residents are able to return home, the referral forms that have been issued will become null and void, regardless of the expiry date.

Westside Road remains closed between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort. Westside Road remains open in both directions from the north to La Casa Resort and from the south to the closure at Cinnabar Creek. For the latest road information, visit the Drive BC website at drivebc.ca

For visitors planning their holiday in the Central Okanagan:

The fire area is located approximately 17 kilometres northwest of downtown Kelowna. The City of Kelowna and City of West Kelowna are located well away from the actual fire scene.

All weekend events in Kelowna and the Central Okanagan are proceeding as originally scheduled.
Roads in the Kelowna and West Kelowna area remain open are not affected by the Shelter Cove fire, except for a portion of Westside Road between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort.
Visitors with respiratory concerns can monitor air quality at bcairquality.ca

It is anticipated that the next update will be available after 10:00 a.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the fire, visit cordemergency.ca.

[Lazarus]

The evacuees can go back home!

Update 17:

http://www.cordemergency.ca/CM/Page3353.aspx?Panel=Reading&EntryID=6001404

Shelter Cove Westside Road Fire News Release 17
posted by: Public Info. Officer at Friday, July 24, 2015 10:20:00 AM

The Emergency Operation Centre advises that effective at 11:00 a.m. today, the Evacuation Order for the Shelter Cove/Westside Road Fire is downgraded to an Evacuation Alert.

Westside Road will remain closed between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort, except to residents and those staying in the Alert area. There will be no through traffic permitted at this time. Check points at Cinnabar Creek and La Casa will require proof of residency or rental accommodation in the Alert area, to enter to the area. For the latest road information, visit the Drive BC website at drivebc.ca

These properties will however, remain under an Evacuation Alert and residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice in the event that conditions change and the Evacuation Order is reinstated.

The fire has 25% containment however those returning should be aware that active fire suppression continues in the area west of Westside Road. The area is not safe for the public and for safety reasons people should stay out. Visible smoke may continue rising from the fire site. Those returning may encounter various hazards on private properties as a result of the forest fire. Again, please stay out of fire-affected areas.

There is no electrical service in the area under Evacuation Alert. Lines were de-energized at the request of and for the safety of emergency services responders. BC Hydro is working to restore service as quickly as possible. This may also impact the availability of other services such as water or septic depending on the source/provider. For details on the status of electrical service visit www.bchydro.com and select the Power Outages menu option.

With the electrical service outage, those returning may have concerns for food safety. Interior Health says during a power outage, food in a fridge or freezer may not be safe to eat. ‘When in doubt, throw it out’. Specific information about Food, Water Quality, Septic Systems and Fire Retardants is available at:

www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/E ... Fires.aspx.

The Emergency Support Services reception centre is now closed. With the lifting of the Evacuation Order allowing affected people to return, ESS advises that the referral forms issued at the reception centre will no longer be valid regardless of the expiry date.
For the most up-to-date information on emergencies in the Central Okanagan, visit cordemergency.ca.

[BoB76]

Kelowna 2003 fire the insurance companies replaced fridges and freezers that had been turned off. Everyone put them at the curb and they were picked up. Nice way to get new stuff.

[madadam]

Steady SW wind, nice rain falling right now.

[Frisk]

I'm happy to hear the evacuees are heading home today!

[Captain Awesome]

I hope it means Westside Rd. is open.

[Lazarus]

I hope it means Westside Rd. is open.

Per update 17 above, still no.

Westside Road will remain closed between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa Resort, except to residents and those staying in the Alert area. There will be no through traffic permitted at this time. Check points at Cinnabar Creek and La Casa will require proof of residency or rental accommodation in the Alert area, to enter to the area. For the latest road information, visit the Drive BC website at drivebc.ca

[mtn living]

Westside road opens

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... htm#144792

Westside road will be completely open to traffic in both directions, as of 7 p.m. tonight (Friday).

The closures at La Casa and Cinnabar Creek will be removed and motorists will be able to travel north and south, according to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD).

CORD advises motorists to watch for and give way to any emergency vehicles or first responders that are still working on the Shelter Cove-Westside Road fire.

The Evacuation Alert remains in place for approximately 70 properties and residents should be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions with the fire change.

[madadam]

Friday Evening 8:25 pm - Helis still bucketing.

[trapp]

Kelowna 2003 fire the insurance companies replaced fridges and freezers that had been turned off. Everyone put them at the curb and they were picked up. Nice way to get new stuff.

Not my idea of a nice way to get a new freezer. Don't think people turn them off intentionally when evacuated. It is the power outage that turns them off. Ever smell a freezer with rotten meat in it. No way you can ever get that smell out.

[trapp]

Fire getting it's butt kicked now with some help from Mother Nature. Crews will continue relentless mop up of the perimeter to secure the guards.

[Frisk]

I wonder about the stability of the slope. It's quite steep and now the tree roots are not there to help hold it together. I'm concerned this rain could cause a landslide?

[skydawg]

I wonder about the stability of the slope. It's quite steep and now the tree roots are not there to help hold it together. I'm concerned this rain could cause a landslide?

Doubtful

[Frisk]

It's unlikely but when dealing with the aftermath of a fire they need to look at all aspects. Did you ever see what happened when it rained a lot in Colorado Springs after the Waldo canyon fire?

[skydawg]

It's unlikely but when dealing with the aftermath of a fire they need to look at all aspects. Did you ever see what happened when it rained a lot in Colorado Springs after the Waldo canyon fire?