Kelowna Wildfire Forces Evacuation Order for Ellison Area
Residents of the Ellison area in Kelowna, British Columbia were forced to evacuate their homes on Monday evening due to a rapidly spreading wildfire.
The fire, which was first reported around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, quickly grew in size and intensity, prompting officials to issue an evacuation order for the Ellison area. The order was issued by the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre and affected approximately 1,000 residents.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire is estimated to be around 2.5 hectares in size and is currently classified as out of control. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
As of Tuesday morning, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to structures. However, officials are urging residents to follow the evacuation order and leave the area immediately for their own safety.
The Ellison Fire Department, along with crews from the BC Wildfire Service, are working tirelessly to contain the fire and protect nearby homes. Air tankers and helicopters have also been deployed to assist in the firefighting efforts.
In addition to the evacuation order, a state of local emergency has been declared for the Ellison area. This allows for additional resources and support to be brought in to help with the situation.
Residents who have been evacuated are being asked to register with the Emergency Support Services reception centre at the Salvation Army Church on Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna. The centre is providing assistance with food, lodging, and other necessities for those affected by the evacuation order.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is also providing updates and information on their website and social media channels for residents to stay informed about the situation.
As the wildfire continues to burn, officials are reminding residents to stay vigilant and follow all evacuation orders and alerts. The safety of residents and first responders is the top priority in this situation.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and officials are urging anyone with information to contact the BC Wildfire Service or local authorities.
As the situation continues to develop, residents are advised to stay tuned to local news outlets and official channels for updates and instructions. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre will continue to provide updates as they become available.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with the residents of the Ellison area and the first responders working tirelessly to contain the wildfire. We urge everyone to stay safe and follow all instructions from officials.
