Hours after the Nk’Mip wildfire sparked to life, the Nk’Mip RV Park and Campground issued an Evacuation Order during the early hours of July 20. Many campers and those staying at the RV park had to scramble in the middle of the night. 

“We heard we were on an Evacuation Alert, so we decided to leave around two o’clock in the morning and we thought we would just get out here before everybody else does,” said Doug Bodeux. “So we hooked up our boat and everything and we came up here. Then the people that were left there, they got an Evacuation Order and they had to get out of there by five o’clock in the morning”

Doug described the scene back at Nk’Mip RV park as a “mess” since everyone had to leave in a rush. People left behind towels, floaties, RV mats, barbecues, many left behind their trailers and boats as well. 

Marie Bodeux, Doug’s partner, said by 5:00 a.m. all the Spirit Ridge cars and vehicles hit the roads, were filling up gas to go home, or setting up at the Buy-Low parking lot. 

The Buy-Low parking lot was filled row after row with trailers, boats and RVs. Many folks set off to go back home after being evacuated. Others stayed to figure out a plan for themselves, including those who are year-long permanent RV residents at the park.  

Rob Andrews, who was visiting Osoyoos from the Surrey area, said that he couldn’t drive back home the way they came since Highway 3 is closed due to another fire near Keremeos. 

“So we’re going to go home a different way. Probably head over to the Coquihalla,” said Andrews, who added that he has been coming down to Osoyoos since he was three years old. 

For now, the group said they are doing fine in parking lot. 

“We got the grocery store, restaurants, a generator for power, we got a lot of water on board, we’re doing good…It’s a holiday to remember or forget, I don’t know which,” said Doug, who will be back next year. 

As of today (July 22), the Evacuation Order for the campground and RV park has been rescinded to an Evacuation Alert. At the same time many residences around the area have been issued an Evacuation Order.