Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
A special incident management team is being set up locally to address the Nk’Mip Creek fire that is still estimated to be 2,000 hectares in size.
Fire Information Officer Taylor MacDonald from the BC Wildfire Service told the Times-Chronicle that incident command will no longer be operated out of Kamloops but rather locally to handle fire logistics.
She noted that cooler temperatures last night were helpful to crews, which didn’t see a lot of fire growth since yesterday.
Today there are 14 crewmembers and three helicopters actioning the fire.
The blaze is still classified as out of control and BC Wildfire is not saying it was human caused but “still under investigation.”
MacDonald said they are not aware of any structures being burned.
She noted their objective today is building a machine guard between Camp McKinney Road and Bullmoose Road.
Rob Graham, media relations officer for the Oliver Fire Department, said an emerging concern is the fire’s potential impact on Shrike Hill east of Oliver. He noted the fire appeared to be about one kilometre from the community.
Graham said their crews were patrolling the Nk’Mip Road area yesterday looking for spot fires, but today they are on standby.
He acknowledged the reports of an RV and a container destroyed by the fire on Monday, noting they could not send crews into that area for safety reasons. He added their crews were protecting the first two threatened homes at the time.
Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth said they went door-to-door on Monday assisting with evacuation orders.
RCMP worked closely with Osoyoos Indian Band members to convince individuals to leave their properties and recording information on any adults that would not leave.
“There was minimal conflict with adults refusing to leave and a great team effort,” Wrigglesworth said, adding the work done by the Oliver Fire Department was “amazing.”
He noted that Indigenous police officers have been re-canvassing properties on Nk’Mip Road to ensure the safety of homeowners.
Wrigglesworth said they have also been conducting patrols of the fire zone looking for damage, signs of looting, or anyone needing help.
The commander said there are numerous officers arriving today from elsewhere in the province to assist with 24-hour coverage.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen report that evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect in Oliver and Electoral Areas A and C.
The Oliver Landfill is closed until further notice, but people can take their garbage to the Osoyoos Landfill for the time being.
Boaters are reminded to avoid Osoyoos Lake to allow air crews to conduct their operations safely.
The fire has pushed as far south as Anarchist Mountain where many residents are on evacuation order and alert.
Brenda Arychuk, acting information officer for the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department, is reminding people they cannot go back into an evacuated area.
“Those who are under alert should take the time to make sure they have what they need should they go under evacuation order, meaning you must leave immediately.”
Anarchist Mountain fire crews have been very busy assessing the risk to the community by patrolling the area.
Fire Chief Urs Grob said there is no current fire activity in the area. “Thankfully the wind has been cooperating. We are monitoring the situation and being provided information by the Office of the Fire Commissioner as well as BC Wildfire Service.”
Anarchist firefighters are preparing structure protection for the homes that were under Area A evacuation order.
Last night, local crews had assistance from Willowbrook, Kaleden and Okanagan Falls fire departments to assess the situation in the evacuation zone. Crews patrolled the mountain subdivisions under evacuation order to ensure there was no fire present or nearby. Today, some Anarchist firefighters are on standby and others are patrolling the area to maintain 24-hour coverage.
Arychuk reiterated that residents are asked not to go back to their homes under evacuation order. She noted RCMP are doing evening patrols of neighbourhoods and homes.
For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, see https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/assets/EOC-Info/20200826-WHAT-TO-DO-Evac-Order-Alert-AUG2020.docx.pdf )
Those under evacuation alert or order in B.C. can register online: ess.gov.bc.ca or by telephone: 1-844-537-7377
Arychuk said they are doing their best to provide information to residents as quickly as possible.
“There are many things happening at once, so we ask for patience and understanding. Rest assured, we have trained firefighters on the mountain from here and other jurisdictions assisting.”
The regional district is scheduled to provide another fire update at 2 p.m.
