Terrace Mountain fire survives rain
Overnight rain showers have failed to stop the Terrace Mountain fire on the northwest shore of B.C.'s Lake Okanagan, but they might have given firefighters a small break.
Fire information officer Grace Pickell said while rain that fell across B.C.'s Southern interior was welcome, it was not enough to damper the fire, which covered an estimated 4,400 hectares by Friday morning and was only 20 per cent contained.
"The cooler weather and the small amount of precipitation that we received yesterday definitely aided the B.C. Forest Service when we were trying to work with this fire. We were able to put both hand and machine guards around the fire. It definitely helped with the resources on site," Pickell said.
The fire has been challenging to contain because the steep slopes of the terrain and the rapid advance of the flames have made it extremely unsafe to put crews on the ground, forestry officials have said.
Stay out, police warn public
Kelowna RCMP are warning the public not to enter evacuated areas once evacuation orders are in place, or they risk a hefty fine.
About 2,200 people were ordered to leave their homes on Thursday as the fire advanced rapidly, and another 2,400 in nearby areas are standing by on evacuation alerts.
Const. Steve Holmes said authorities have seen several people going back repeatedly into restricted areas. He warned they will be asked to leave or will be fined if caught by the RCMP.
"If they refuse to do that, then we have the option of levying a fine under the Forest Practices Code Act, which is at $230. We have no choice but to follow those initiatives if people don't leave," Holmes said.
Police issued a ticket to someone who refused to leave West Kelowna during the Glenrosa fire earlier this week, Holmes said. At least 10 homes were looted in that area after 11,000 people were forced to relocate under an evacuation order on Saturday.
Fire officials are also urging the public to remain off the roads in the fire area so fire crews can get quicker, safer access to the blaze.
RCMP also urged all boaters to stay a minimum of 400 metres away from the Fintry area so that water tankers and helicopters can safely do their work.
The B.C. Forestry Service say the Glenrosa and Rose Valley fires in the West Kelowna district are now 100 per cent under control and crews are focusing on mop-up operations. Evacuation alerts remain in place, however.