One structure destroyed, evacuation orders issued due to Keremeos Creek wildfire
CTV
A wildfire in the South Okanagan is rapidly growing, forcing people out of their homes Saturday.
A wildfire in the South Okanagan is rapidly growing, forcing people out of their homes Saturday.
An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for 25 properties on Green Mountain Road — which is about 21 kilometres southwest of Penticton — and 357 other properties in the Apex area are on evacuation alert.
BC Wildfire Service says the fire is displaying "aggressive and erratic" behaviour and is rapidly growing -- from 100 hectares Friday night to 440 hectares on Saturday.
"It can be very disconcerting," said Erick Thompson, an information officer for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's emergency operations centre.
"It's important to have a plan in place if you do have to leave your property, certainly if you feel threatened and there isn't an evacuation order or alert in place. You should be prepared to move to a different area. And do that sooner rather than later," he added.Kamloops fire centre manager Kaitlyn Baskerville says while it might be challenging to leave behind your property and belongings, it's the safest thing to do right now.
"It's not necessarily just about your property. It's also about the community around you and doing what's right and keeping our crews safe as well," she said.
The Keremeos Creek fire was discovered Friday, and one structure has already been destroyed.
