An air tanker drops a load of retardent in Kaleden yesterday afternoon. Eighteen properties in Kaleden have been evacuated and 165 properties placed on evacuation alert by the regional district last night, July 4, 2017. Steve Arstad

Evacuation order rescinded, alert remains in effect for Kaleden

PENTICTON – A mandatory evacuation of 18 homes following a wildfire in Kaleden has been rescinded.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen said in a press release issued late this morning, July 5, that 186 properties remain under advisory evacuation alert.

The fire began around 3:45 p.m. yesterday, July 5, and is now 6.5 hectares in size. It is believed to have started along Oak Avenue.

The alert comprises the entire southern half of the community.

B.C Wildfire crews and  the Kaleden Fire Department are currently fighting the blaze.

For a complete list of properties under the alert go to the Regional District website and click on “2017 EOC” on the top right hand side.

All citizens evacuated due to this fire are asked to register with Emergency Social Services at the Penticton Community Centre located at 325 Power St. in Penticton.

— This story was updated at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2017 with new information from the Regional District regarding evacuation status.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad 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.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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