Most evacuation orders near Osoyoos have been downgraded

Hundreds of residents in and around Osoyoos are allowed to return home again after they were ordered to leave on Saturday night due to the Eagle Bluff wildfire. 

During an update through the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen today, July 31, communications supervisor Erick Thompson said that of the 732 properties initially placed under evacuation order, all but 192 have been downgraded to alerts. All of which are located in Areas A, B and parts of the town.

The number of properties under evacuation alert have grown to 2,635, up from 2,094 yesterday.

Shaelee Stearns, information officer with BC Wildfire, said the fire is estimated to have burned 1,450 hectares on the Canadian side. Yesterday’s growth occurred mostly along the western flank, but crews have been focusing on the eastern flank because it’s closer to town.

Stearns said 50 personnel have been assigned to the fire today, a total of 61 including the night crew. There are six helicopters, structure protection, heavy equipment and an incident management team on scene as well.

Osoyoos mayor Sue McKortoff said the town remains open for business.

“I don’t think it’s inconvenienced any of the visitors,” she said.

Credit: SUBMITTED/RDOS


To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

Dan Walton

Before joining the ranks of InfoTel, Dan’s byline could be found in newspapers in Penticton, Peachland and Oliver. Prior to his arrival in the South Okanagan, he first sharpened his chops as a reporter at a radio station in Brighton, Ontario, and then newspapers in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Invermere B.C.
From quilting competitions to crimes against humanity, Dan isn’t afraid to cover any topic. Always seeking out the best angles - whether it’s through the lens of his camera or the voices of his Interviews – he delves into the conflict and seeks out the humanity in every story worth telling.
Dan is always happy to hear from readers. To get in touch for any reason he can be contacted at (250) 488-3065 or dwalton@infonews.ca.

More Articles