Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Evacuation orders for 223 properties in rural Osoyoos have been downgraded to alerts in the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire.
The regional district has reported that these 223 Anarchist Mountain residents can return home but must remain on alert and ready to leave on a moment’s notice.
The rescind pertains to Anarchist Place, Bobcat Court, Bullmoose Court, Bullmoose Trail, Bullmoose Way, Chapman Road, Cougar Court, Hewitt Road, Long Joe Road, Longview Road, Longview Place, Peregrine Road, Ravenhill Road, Sasquatch, Wapiti, and Whitetail Place.
Claire Allen, information officer for the BC Wildfire Service, said fire activity on the south and west flanks have lessened, while fire behaviour in the east and northeast area has grown overnight due to wind and warm conditions.
“You could see the glow from the ridge (last night),” Allen said.
She noted that crews are focusing on rebuilding containment lines in this area and planning to conduct hand ignitions to get rid of unburnt fuel (so that the main fire runs out of fuel to burn).
“We’re making good progress on it,” she stated, but noted that winds are expected to pick up this afternoon.
The fire is still estimated at 16,000 hectares, with nearly 200 personnel working on it. They are aided by six helicopters and 24 pieces of heavy equipment.
Allen said they continue to focus on structural protection and monitoring for hot spots in the Shrike Hill and Mt. Baldy areas.
Urs Grob, chief of the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department, said “ember storms” are a major concern during a wildfire, noting that a fire burning kilometres away can ignite many new fires ahead of itself.
On Monday night the Oliver Fire Department assisted forestry crews ferrying water and putting out hot spots in the Shrike Hill area.
