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(UPDATE: 12:55 PM): The wildfire that sparked this morning along Highway 97 is now listed as under control.
The tactical evacuation order has been lifted in the Sage Mesa area north west of Penticton, however road restrictions remain in effect for properties on Sage Mesa Dr that are north of Ladera Pl.
Residents in these effected properties on Sage Mesa Dr can return to their homes but must walk in at this time. Vehicles will temporarily not be allowed to access these properties.
Home owners in the affected properties on Sage Mesa Dr will be allowed vehicle access once the City of Penticton Fire Department has left the area later today.
List of properties affected by temporary road restrictions:
- 4441 SAGE MESA DR
- 4444 SAGE MESA DR
- 4447 SAGE MESA DR
- 4448 SAGE MESA DR
- 4452 SAGE MESA DR
- 4453 SAGE MESA DR
- 4458 SAGE MESA DR
- 4459 SAGE MESA DR
- 4632 SAGE MESA DR
- 4635 SAGE MESA DR
- 4644 SAGE MESA DR
- 4655 SAGE MESA DR
- 4656 SAGE MESA DR
- 4668 SAGE MESA DR
- 4675 SAGE MESA DR
- 4680 SAGE MESA DR
- 4692 SAGE MESA DR
The Emergency Support Service Reception Centre at 199 Ellis St in Penticton will remain open until 2 pm today.
(UPDATE: 10:50 AM): RCMP is warning boaters on Okanagan Lake to stay clear of BC Wildfire Services air craft, that require access to the lake to carry out fire suppression efforts.
"Interfering with fire crews can have an impact on everyone's safety and could impede their efforts," said police. "Penticton RCMP is deploying a police vessel onto the lake to assist."
The department added that all their available officers are currently assisting with evacuations due to the Sage Messa wildfire.
Police say a strategic tactical evacuation of upwards of 80 homes and a golf course that were at risk due to the spreading flames is underway.
Officers are also conducting traffic control and have now secured the area to allow fire crews with both the Penticton Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Service to battle the blaze.
(UPDATE: 9:50 AM): A tactical evacuation has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) due to immediate danger to life safety due to a fire in the Sage Mesa area north west of Penticton.
Additionally, the highway has opened to single lane alternating traffic.
UPDATE - #BCHwy97 north of Sage Mesa Dr in #Penticton is open to single lane alternating traffic. Expect delays. More info: https://t.co/pZ8bGNsYE2 #SummerlandBC #PeachlandBC
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 6, 2020
Tactical evacuation of homes in the Sage Mesa area north of Penticton. Reception Centre set up at 199 Ellis St (across from Cannery Brewing) in Penticton. https://t.co/kFDZzHPoea pic.twitter.com/ikYbfGrbdk
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) August 6, 2020
The tactical evacuation is in effect for the addresses below. As this is an evolving situation residents should follow the directions of first responders and this list may be updated:
- 4423 LADERA PL
- 4429 LADERA PL
- 4435 LADERA PL
- 3610 PINE HILLS DR
- 3630 PINE HILLS DR
- 3650 PINE HILLS DR
- 305 SAGE MESA DR
- 316 SAGE MESA DR
- 320 SAGE MESA DR
- 3625 SAGE MESA DR
- 3631 SAGE MESA DR
- 3634 SAGE MESA DR
- 3635 SAGE MESA DR
- 3820 SAGE MESA DR
- 3821 SAGE MESA DR
- 3824 SAGE MESA DR
- 3825 SAGE MESA DR
- 3828 SAGE MESA DR
- 3835 SAGE MESA DR
- 3836 SAGE MESA DR
- 3851 SAGE MESA DR
- 4049 SAGE MESA DR
- 4055 SAGE MESA DR
- 4240 SAGE MESA DR
- 4241 SAGE MESA DR
- 4245 SAGE MESA DR
- 4246 SAGE MESA DR
- 4251 SAGE MESA DR
- 4252 SAGE MESA DR
- 4257 SAGE MESA DR
- 4258 SAGE MESA DR
- 4264 SAGE MESA DR
- 4441 SAGE MESA DR
- 4444 SAGE MESA DR
- 4447 SAGE MESA DR
- 4448 SAGE MESA DR
- 4452 SAGE MESA DR
- 4453 SAGE MESA DR
- 4458 SAGE MESA DR
- 4459 SAGE MESA DR
- 4632 SAGE MESA DR
- 4635 SAGE MESA DR
- 4644 SAGE MESA DR
- 4655 SAGE MESA DR
- 4656 SAGE MESA DR
- 4668 SAGE MESA DR
- 4675 SAGE MESA DR
- 4680 SAGE MESA DR
- 4692 SAGE MESA DR
- 3857 SOLANA CRES
- 3861 SOLANA CRES
- 3865 SOLANA CRES
- 3869 SOLANA CRES
- 3873 SOLANA CRES
- 3877 SOLANA CRES
- 3885 SOLANA CRES
- 4027 SOLANA CRES
- 4031 SOLANA CRES
- 4032 SOLANA CRES
- 4040 SOLANA CRES
- 4048 SOLANA CRES
- 4053 SOLANA CRES
- 4245 SOLANA CRES
- 4257 SOLANA CRES
- 4259 SOLANA CRES
- 4281 SOLANA CRES
- 3827 VERANO PL
- 3828 VERANO PL
- 3839 VERANO PL
- 3851 VERANO PL
- 3940 VERANO PL
- 3948 VERANO PL
- 4029 VERANO PL
- 4041 VERANO PL
All evacuees are asked to register at the Emergency Support Services (ESS) even if you do not intend to access housing or other services.
An ESS Reception Centre has been set up at 199 Ellis St in Penticton. This is a large blue building across from Cannery Brewing.
If you have pets or livestock that need to be cared for and billeted, please contact Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) for support: 250-809-7152
(UPDATE: @ 9:25 AM): DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97 is closed this morning while crews respond to a forest fire outside of Penticton.
Emergency vehicles are on scene, and no detour is currently available.
UPDATE - #BCHwy97 CLOSED north of Sage Mesa Dr in #Penticton due to grass fire. Expect delays. #SummerlandBC #PeachlandBC
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 6, 2020
A NowMedia reporter at the scene is reporting that traffic has been stopped in both directions, and a helicopter is dropping water on the fire.
(Original story)
Residents in Penticton are reporting seeing a wildfire spark along Highway 97 at the Sage Messa turn off.
Firefighters are reportedly on scene and responding.
Hwy 97 closed north of Penticton due to wildfire.
— KelownaNow.com (@KelownaNow) August 6, 2020
video credit: @EricFornwald pic.twitter.com/UG0skd7ZKZ
NowMedia is reaching out for more details.
Send any photos or news tips to news@pentictonnow.com.
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