Shelter Cove fire remains steady during the day

WEST KELOWNA – B.C. Wildfire has been hitting smoke on the south flank of the Shelter Cove fire with air tankers but other than that, not much has changed today in the 430-hectare blaze.

The evacuation order continues for 70 homes along Westside Road which is closed in both directions between Cinnabar Creek and La Casa resort. No structures or homes are known to have burned. There are no additional evacuation alerts associated with the fire, which is believed to be started by lightning. 

As of this afternon, July 22, 19 B.C. Wildfire firefighters, two helicopters, one piece of heavy equipment and five air tankers were working the fire. Three water tenders were also on site.

About 1,400 B.C. Hydro customers in the area are without power. B.C.Hydro crews have not been able to get into the fire zone to assess possible damage to its power infrastructure but the fire is known to have passed through some of its equipment.

While it waits to gain entry, the utility is assembling crews and equipment to deal with infrastructure damage.

Westside Road remains closed to traffic between Cinnabar Creek to La Casa Resort. 

RCMP continue to patrol the affected neighbourhoods and on Okanagan Lake within the evacuation area. Boaters have been asked to stay away to avoid impeding air crews from refilling water bombers.

The emergency support services reception centre remains open to provide assistance to evacuees. It’s located in the Westside Lions Community Hall at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.

Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team members are available at the reception centre to help evacuees with their animals.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.