Update: 9:15 p.m.
The District of Coldstream has issued evacuation orders and alerts due to the wildfire near Lavington.
Eleven Highway 6 properties and four Noble Canyon Road properties are under an evacuation order and must leave the area immediately.
Those properties are 5517, 5518, 5531, 5543, 5575, 5587, 5597, 5599, 5601, 5653 and 5691 Highway 6, and 10030, 10060, 10090 and 10120 Noble Canyon Road.
Residents under the evacuation order are advised to:
• Close all windows and doors
• Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock
• Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and Keys) only if they are immediately available. Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Do not use more vehicles then you have to.
• Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.
A large number of properties are under an evacuation alert to prepare those residents to evacuate their premises or property should it be found necessary. Those properties are located on Buchanan Road, Freeman Drive, Highway 6, Dure Meadow Road, Park Lane, Petworth Road, School Road and Warren Road. See the news release on to see if your property is on the evacuation alert list.
"Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible before evacuation; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions," the district said.
Residents under the alert should prepare for potential evacuation by:
• Locating all family members or co-workers and designate a meeting location outside the evacuation area, should an evacuation be called while separated.
• Gathering essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc). Have these items readily available for quick departure.
• Preparing to move any disabled persons and/or children.
• Moving pets and livestock to a safe area.
• Arranging to transport your household members or co-workers in the event of an evacuation order.
• Arranging accommodation for your family if possible, staying with family or friends is recommended.
• Monitoring news sources for information on evacuation orders.
Coldstream has declared a local state of emergency due to the wildfire.
BC Wildfire Service crews will remain onsite overnight, pursuing "achievable objectives" and patrolling the fire. They will be supported by a night vision helicopter and the Lavington Fire Department, BCW said in an evening update.
Fire activity has diminished since earlier in the day. Instead of rank four, it is now displaying rank two and three fire behaviour, indicating a low vigour surface fire with a moderate to slow rate of spread.
Additional crews will be onsite continuing operations Saturday, Sept. 6, with the support of aerial resources as needed.
Aircraft may be relying on nearby lakes for water supply, and boaters are reminded to slow down and vacate areas where water skimming aircraft are operating, preferably moving close to the shore.
"Recreational boaters or people using other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at these aircraft present a serious safety risk for air crews and anyone else in the area," BCW said.
"This behaviour is extremely dangerous and interferes with our ability to fight a fire or practice safely, since aircraft cannot collect water when a boat is in the intended flight path."
Update: 7:41 p.m.
The wildfire near Lavington is now an estimated 50 hectares in size, according to BC Wildfire Service.
Update: 7:25 p.m.
BC Wildfire Service and local fire crews are continuing their attack of the wildfire near Lavington from the ground and air.
Planes could be seen scooping up water from Kalamalka Lake before dumping them on the blaze, according to Morning Star reporters at both locations.
Jet skiers were seen in the area of the lake where planes were retrieving water, prompting a reminder to all to avoid heading out on the lake so that there is no interference with the aerial firefighting effort.
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is urging all residents and visitors to avoid the Noble Canyon and Becker Lake/Bardolph area due to the wildfire.
"Active wildfire efforts are underway, and we are asking for the public's support to ensure these efforts can be completed as safely and effectively as possible," the RDNO said shortly before 7 p.m.
"If you have not downloaded the app on your mobile device, we recommend you do so to receive all urgent communications regarding wildfires in the area."
BC Wildfire Service says the fire is expected to be bigger than the 30 hectares currently listed on its interactive map.
There have not been any evacuation orders or alerts issued yet.
Residents are encouraged to visit rdno.ca, the RDNO Facebook page, and listen to the local radio for updates.
Six planes collect water in coordination to fight the Lavington wildfire Friday evening. Still 30 hectares according to BC Wildfire Service.
— Vernon Morning Star (@VernonNews)
Planes drop water on the blaze. The wildfire is expected to have grown beyond its current 30-ha. size estimate, according to BC Wildfire Service.
— Vernon Morning Star (@VernonNews)
Update: 6:06 p.m.
Aerial resources are currently overhead of a wildfire burning 30 hectares in size near Lavington Friday evening, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCW).
"We have sent multiple crews and multiple aerial resources, both fixed wing and rotary wing, and they are overhead right now and on scene actioning that fire," a BCW fire information officer told The Morning Star at 6 p.m. Sept. 5.
She added BCW appreciates the many phone reports that were received about the blaze, helping crews attack it quickly.
Conditions are very dry throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, which has a high fire danger rating with pockets of extreme danger following at least 10 days of above average seasonal temperatures, the fire information officer said.
"Everywhere seems to be a little bit drier just with the heating trend that we've seen over the last few days."
Update: 5:10 p.m.
The wildfire near Lavington is burning at rank four Friday afternoon, meaning it's a highly vigorous surface fire, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCW).
BCW is working alongside the Lavington Fire Department, sending multiple crews, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in response to the incident.
"This is an evolving incident, we are waiting for additional operational updates," a fire information officer told The Morning Star.
The fire, 12.5 kilometres east of Vernon and near the Lavington community, is believed to have been human-caused.
No evacuation orders or alerts are in effect at this time.
BREAKING: A 30-hectare wildfire is burning near Lavington Friday afternoon. BC Wildfire Service air and ground crews are working on the blaze. Check for updates.
— Vernon Morning Star (@VernonNews)
Submitted video:
The District of Coldstream says updates will be posted on its website about the fire within its borders. to receive district news directly to your inbox and download to receive emergency notifications on your electronic device of choice.
The district says while no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued at this time, it's good to be prepared by building a grab-and-go kit. Learn how at .
Update: 4:50 p.m.
The wildfire burning near Lavington Friday afternoon is now 30 hectares in size.
Air crews are currently working on the blaze.
Multiple fire trucks have attended the scene and ground crews are working on the blaze.
Flames are visible from the valley and residents are out in their yards watering, according to a Black Press reporter on scene.
The fire is off Highway 6 on the hills above Tony's Craft Cidery and the Canco gas station.
Original:
A new wildfire has sparked near Lavington in the North Okanagan Friday.
BC Wildfire Service reports a 0.009 hectare wildfire is burning to the northeast of the community on Noble Canyon Road.
The fire was discovered Sept. 5 and is classified as being out of control, meaning it is expected to spread beyond its current perimeter.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
There are currently no evacuation orders, alerts or area restrictions associated with this wildfire.
More to come.
