Out-of-control wildfire pushing closer to resort in B.C. Interior

Thick plumes of smoke pumping into the air near B.C.'s Apex Mountain Resort make the threat obvious to hundreds of people on evacuation alert in the area due to a wildfire.

Thick plumes of smoke pumping into the air near B.C.'s Apex Mountain Resort make the threat obvious to hundreds of people on evacuation alert in the area due to a wildfire.

"Yeah, we’re getting a little concerned now," said Chris Martens, as he loaded his truck with important possessions, in case he and his neighbours are ordered to leave the area.

The Keremeos Creek Wildfire is burning about 21 kilometres southwest of Penticton and is classified as out of control.

Twenty-five nearby properties are already on evacuation order. 

“We were on a road trip. We just heard about it yesterday from our friends and next thing you know we had lots of messages pouring in,” Martens said. “So we zipped back home and here we are getting things organized to maybe head out again for another road trip.”

So far, only four families have registered with emergency officials with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen -- and on Sunday, people were still trying to access the evacuation zone.

"I’m going to drive right through now,” said resident Mark Flood as he stood in front of a Road Closed sign. "I’m hoping that I don’t run into any resistance. I’m not staying there today. I’m just going to check my place out just to see what’s happening down there.”