Discovered on Sunday, July 6 was the Whelan Creek Wildfire. Despite a fast response from local firefighters, the flames quickly grew and are now at an estimated 6 hectares in size as of Monday, July 7.
An evacuation order has since been issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan on Monday. Residents are advised to leave the area immediately as they are at risk.
WHELAN CREEK WILDFIRE
The Whelan Creek Wildfire, which is situated a mere ten minute drive from Kelowna International Airport, has forced RCMP officers to conduct a tactical evacuation of the Ellison Lake area. Nearby residents should also be prepared to leave, if necessary.
BC Wildfire Service is currently assisting Ellison Fire Department with “ground and aerial resources.” There are three initial attack, two response officers, and a unit crew that are responding to the fire. Additionally, there are two helicopters, a birddog, and four airtankers attending to it.
The BC Wildfire Service website states that, “The wildfire is displaying Rank 2 and Rank 3 fire behavior meaning a surface fire with infrequent candling and a slow to moderate rate of spread.”
EVACUATIONS
Although the Whelan Creek Wildfire is currently being held, a projection “based on fuel and weather conditions and resource ability”, residents in the red area on the map are still being urged to leave as soon as possible, being under an evacuation order. Residents in the orange area are under an evacuation alert.
The Kelowna International Airport airspace was closed during Sunday afternoon, with nearly 30 flights coming to and from Kelowna being cancelled, as well as delayed. After 8:30pm, the restriction was lifted.
The Whelan Creek Wildfire is suspected to be human-caused.
