Glenrosa and Rose Valley Fires contained -Terrace Mtn Evac Order

People scrambled to gather up their belongings as thousands living along the northwest shore of Lake Okanagan were forced to leave their homes Thursday because of the growing fire at Terrace Mountain north of Kelowna.

Forest officials said the blaze was racing at nearly two kilometres per hour and had grown to a span of 4,000 hectares by Thursday.

Approximately 2,200 residents were ordered to leave their homes and an expanded evacuation alert was issued as the flames raged just six kilometres from nearby homes.

Many, like Fred Fersovich, heard of the evacuation order over the radio.

"No one has actually come around yet to tell us, but I'm not going to wait to find out," he said.

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The Emergency Operation Centre advises of one new additional Evacuation Alert, notifying residents of the potential danger due to the Terrace Mountain forest fire. It would be prudent for residents in the following areas to prepare to leave with very short notice.  The affected areas are:

The backcountry west of Fintry, commonly known as the “Fintry High Farm” area, specifically District lots 5016, 4023, 4691, 4692, 4002, 4693, 3333, 3803, 4700, 4302 (see attached map).

Residents on Evacuation Alert should be prepared to leave their homes at any moment, as an Evacuation may be called at any time.

Fire crews continued their struggle to contain three fires in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, but with no rain in the forecast and temperatures set to be high again Monday and Tuesday, Mother Nature will be of no help.

Air quality has also become a concern after the Glenrosa fire spread quickly over the weekend, destroying three homes, said Dr. Paul Hasselback, of the Interior Health Authority.

That blaze — now four square kilometres — is 40 per cent contained. A total of 11,000 people have been evacuated from the area, while another 6,000 are on alert to leave at a moment's notice.

Another fire in West Kelowna, in Rose Valley has grown to 1.5 square kilometres, but fire officials said that blaze is not at all contained due to the rough terrain in the area.

Meanwhile, a third fire at Terrace Mountain, near Fintry, has grown to 8.5 square kilometres, but it is not a risk to homes or communities.

Forest fire officials suspect all three fires raging west of Okanagan Lake were caused by humans.

Fire investigators are on scene.

Rob Moore, outgoing incident commander with the B.C. Forest Service, said the fires could have been accidental but RCMP will be called in if fire investigators decide they're suspicious.

Evacuation Order just issued for 10 properties & 13 people in the ‘Fintry High Farm’ area because of the Terrace Mountain fire.

Returning home today after 5 pm? ESS referrals for food & lodging will expire noon Thurs 23:

More than half of West Kelowna fire evacuees will get to return home Tuesday morning.

Six thousand residents from north of Glenrosa Road and north of Powers Creek will be allowed back into their home.

The area will remain under evacuation alert and residents should be ready to leave again if conditions change.

Highway 97 and the Connector will also open Monday morning.

All other evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect.

BC Hydro crews have been working continuously to get power restored to the areas in Glenrosa affected by the wildfire that swept through parts of the area Sunday and Monday.

Monday night there remained six customers who cannot be connected until approval is given by the electrical inspection branch.

These customers can call 1-800-769-3766 or on their cell phones *HYDRO (*49376) for more information.

Almost 300 animals are being cared for by the B.C. SPCA after being rescued from the wildfires burning in West Kelowna.

Bob Busch, general manager of operations, said special constables have been working hard to rescue horses, livestock and domestic pets.

“We’ve evacuated 247 animals from the field and are caring for another 42 pets who were dropped off by their guardians at the Kelowna shelter for temporary boarding,” Busch said.

Dr. Jim Inglis, manager of the Kelowna branch, said the shelter is placing displaced pets with SPCA foster families but is in urgent need of large pet carriers, litter trays, towels, cash donations and hay.

To make a donation visit spca.bc.ca or call 1-800-665-1868.

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – About half of the 11,000 evacuated residents near Kelowna were allowed to return to their homes this morning three days after they were forced to flee fast-moving brush fires.

Forest fire officials and RCMP checked identifications and only allowed residents back to their homes in a subdivision in the suburb of West Kelowna. Residents were warned that the fire situation which forced them out Saturday could change and they could again be evacuated.

"We are at the mercy of the weather," said Tim Ewart, the incident commander for the ministry of forests.

Residents were to inspect for downed utility wires, collapsing structures around their homes and damaged trees around their property.