Smoke in the skies at Olalla, August 5, 2022 UPDATE: 15:20 The Keremeos Creek wildfire has grown to 5,903 hectares, but there is some good news from the ground after what a BC Fire Service intelligence officer called a “hairy” evening. Bryan Zandberg with BCWS gave a live update Friday afternoon, explaining wind gusts late Thursday and subsequent increased fire activity led to late afternoon evacuation orders for the community of Olalla and further alerts in Keremeos. Currently, 547 properties are under evacuation and 1,050 are on alert. “We got the fire going and some embers were blown across Highway 3A to get to the other side of it,” Zandberg said. “We had people there. They did it right away, but it speaks to the danger and the intensity of the wind yesterday. That was a knockout, that little spot was hit right away.” BCWS requested the closure of Highway 3A to remove evacuees and allow fire crews to get to work, which remains in place as of Friday afternoon. “I’m going to use the word ‘hairy’ along 3A there in that southern section,” Zandberg said. “But you know, just a great job done by all the people working with us on this fire. No new structures lost to report, very happy about that.” The fire was put out around 3am and things have been very quiet since then. “I’m happy to report that it’s nice and quiet in there and we expect it to stay that way because the fuel is gone [due to prescribed burns]. So that’s pretty good,” Zandberg said. “Right now, we’re really trying to contain the fire in the Cedar Creek watershed and we don’t want it to go into the Olalla drainage. So that’s something we’re concerned about.” At Apex Mountain, things are looking good as well. Zandberg noted and apologized that the confirmation he made this week about the distance of the Apex fire was incorrect and that the fire is “much further” than 2.5 kilometers away from the resort. The weather continues to cooperate on the active flanks of the fire, with no strong winds like Thursday’s. However, Zandberg cautioned that there are no certain predictions and temperatures may rise in the coming days along with less moisture, which could cause a spike in fire activity. In response to questions about using water bombers, versus helicopters, versus ground crews, Zandberg explained that he often sees comments on social media about this. “Maybe some people think it’s a bit of a magic wand, just have a bunch of bombers come in and just put out all the fire. It really doesn’t work that way,” Zandberg said. “It’s not the only game in town. There’s a lot of things that have to happen on the ground, to kill a fire and put it out. . . . I think we were using [aviation] to a limited extent. We will use it more if necessary.” Fifteen helicopters have been working on the fire since Friday afternoon, part of a crew of more than 390 crew members battling the blaze. Protecting the structure has been a top priority and crews are working hard to get people back into their homes as soon as it is safe. Zandberg also commented on the ongoing closure of Highway 3A, which he said has been helpful. “We’ve had a lot of people speeding through there and some real near misses, especially with our construction people,” he explained. “People … were coming within touching distance of fire engines on the street. Obviously we don’t want to see that.” He encouraged all travelers to respect the road closures and drive carefully if and when the roads open, and anyone subject to an evacuation order to leave rather than stay on their property. “If we have the fire pick up through a wind event like we did yesterday, and things get crazy, then it’s really, really dangerous for everyone involved — the first responders, as well as the residents who chose not to evacuate — just to sort through the things at the event,” Zandberg said. “When things get critical, we can see some real risks with safety. We don’t want to see that. So we encourage people to leave if they’re ordered to.” The RDOS Emergency Support Services drop-in center is available for evacuees at 120 Green Avenue West until 5 p.m. or later if orders are extended, and can be reached by phone at 250-328-8749. RDOS EOC Information Officer Erick Thompson noted that emergency access permits for people who have been evacuated from their property are evaluated on an individual basis and encouraged people to contact the EOC at 250-490-4225 first to see if one of the many support service crews can assist before applying to re-enter the evacuation zone. Anyone needing help with animals can contact the Animal Lifeline Emergency Team at 250-490-7152. Anyone wishing to help those displaced can donate gift cards or make a cash donation to the Canadian Red Cross, but physical donation items are not being accepted at this time. For an interactive map of properties with an eviction order or notice and more information click here. UPDATE: 2 p.m The Okanagan Similkameen Regional District and BC Wildfire Service are hosting a joint live event at 2 p.m. providing the latest information on the Keremeos Creek fire. Watch live above. Photo: BCWS UPDATE: 11:45 a.m BC Wildfire Services says in its latest update that there was “minimal growth overnight” on the Keremeos Creek Fire. No structures were damaged overnight. “An inversion of up to 1700 feet is forecast today which will affect air operations. Smoky skies may delay aircraft operations in some areas. Conditions will be similar to yesterday with slightly warmer temperatures and gusty winds expected throughout the day says BCWS. “Crews continue to work around the clock along Highway 3A and on the north side of the Olalla Creek berms.” Crews will secure control lines from Yellow Lake traveling north and push control lines north from Sheep Creek Rd to Green Mountain Road with heavy equipment. Structural protection crews are on the ground at Olalla with engines and sprinkler systems. Over 540 properties in rural Keremeos, the Apex area and the village of Keremeos are under evacuation orders. Another 1,050 properties are under evacuation alert in the same and adjacent areas. Click here for an interactive map of all properties on order and notice. ORIGINAL: 10 a.m Highway 3A between the Kaleden interchange and Keremeos remains closed Friday morning as the Keremeos Creek Fire continues to be aggressive. Crews are battling the wildfire affecting the community of Olalla along the highway. As of Friday morning, there is heavy smoke over Olalla and adjacent areas, but there has been little development on the south side. “Overnight, downslope winds in excess of 30 km/h drove the fire downhill along Hwy 3A south toward Olalla,” says an update from BCWS. “At this time the fire is still within the boundaries of the evacuation order.” Crews worked through the night to defend structure around the Cedar Creek drainage and kept fire on the west side of Highway 3A. Crews reported Class 4 fire behavior during the overnight periods. Wind and slope continue to be the largest contributors to fire behavior. 227 wildland firefighters have been assigned to this fire working with an additional 170 structural protection personnel from fire departments across BC, bringing the total to 397 firefighters. Olalla has been evacuated since Thursday. Apex Mountain Resort was evacuated earlier in the week. An interactive map of all evacuation zones around the fire is here. Call 250-328-8749 to access Emergency Support Services if your property is under an evacuation order. All evacuees in need of transportation can call 250-490-4225. Any evacuee concerned about their animals can contact ALERT Animal Rescue at 250-490-7152. The Emergency Operations Center is open in Penticton on Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 120 Green Avenue. DriveBC reports that the next Highway 3A status update will be at noon.
