Apex Mountain village on evacuation alert due to wildfire

Firefighters continue to battle a large wildfire near Penticton that has placed the Apex Mountain village on evacuation alert.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued an alert for properties in the village last night, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. 

An evacuation order was also sent out yesterday for homes in the Green Mountain Road area between Highway 3A to the south and Apex Mountain Road to the north and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake; and the north end of Sheep Creek Road, according to the regional district.

The Keremeos Creek wildfire is currently burning out of control and listed at 437 ha in size. One non-residential structure has been destroyed by the wildfire.

“This updated size can be attributed to aggressive fire behaviour was observed today, and more accurate tracking of the fire conducted from the air,” according to the B.C. Wildfire Service's latest update from last night.

Yesterday, 50 wildfire personnel responded to the blaze and 10 remained on the ground overnight. Highway 3A is currently open at this time.

The wildfire is located in terrain that is inoperable for air tanker and heavy machinery support but resources remain on standby as the incident evolves, according to the wildfire service.

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