UPDATE MONDAY, Aug. 23, 3:43: p.m.

Cooler weather has the Township of Spallumcheen reducing its evacuation alert area.

Now, residences on the northside of the previous alert area, between Larkin Cross Road and Grandview Flats Road, are in the clear.

An evacuation alert remains in place for the following areas:

害羞草研究所� Corkscrew Rd

害羞草研究所� Evans Rd

害羞草研究所� Golfview Place

害羞草研究所� Grandview Flats Rd (south side)

害羞草研究所� Grandview Flats Rd North

害羞草研究所� Grandview Flats Rd South

害羞草研究所� 9221 to 9728 Highway 97

害羞草研究所� L&A Cross Rd

害羞草研究所� Larkin Cross Rd (south side)

害羞草研究所� Mendenhall Rd

害羞草研究所� Miller Rd

害羞草研究所� Northwind Drive

害羞草研究所� 8400 Old Kamloops Rd

害羞草研究所� Otter Lake Rd (632 Otter Lake Rd and lower)

害羞草研究所� Overlook Pl

害羞草研究所� Page Rd

害羞草研究所� Pine Ridge Rd

害羞草研究所� Round lake Rd

害羞草研究所� St Anne害羞草研究所檚 Rd

害羞草研究所� Stepping Stones Rd

害羞草研究所� Stepping Stones Cres

UPDATED MONDAY, AUG. 23, 1:38 p.m.

The current evacuation order for 1,316 properties and alert for 850 properties remains unchanged in the North Westside community within the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO).

BC Wildfire has said the weather is favourable towards firefighting, as temperatures continue to be cooler, but forecasted gusty winds could still increase fire activity.

害羞草研究所淎nother day passed yesterday without an incident, as all agencies continue their incredible hard work,害羞草研究所� North Westside fire chief Alex Van Bruksvoort said.

害羞草研究所淭he Regional District of Central Okanagan and North Westside Fire Rescue continues to support the removal and feeding of pets and animals.害羞草研究所�

The emergency operations centre (EOC) based in Kelowna has been calling residents whose properties were severely damaged by the fire.

害羞草研究所淩esidents whose properties are known to have suffered significant damage as a result of the fire are being offered a limited escorted bus visit throughout the day today (Aug. 23),害羞草研究所� Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said in a statement.

A virtual town hall meeting for the owners of the approximately 70 properties damaged by the fire is planned for later in the week.

The Regional District of North Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 (RDNO) evacuation order is also still in effect.

UPDATED MONDAY, AUG. 23, 12:17 p.m.

The BC Wildfire Service has announced they are preparing to conduct a large-scale planned ignition operation on the northeast flank of the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The exact timing of this ignition will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Wednesday, Aug. 25. Significant planning, forecasting, and data analysis has been completed and will continue to be assessed prior to the ignition operation.

Due to steep and inaccessible terrain in this area of the fire, BC Wildfire Service personnel have determined that a planned ignition is the most favourable tactic to gain control while also maintaining an appropriate safety margin for firefighters. Over the past 72-hours, heavy equipment operators have been working to complete a machine guard along Irish Creek Road, working north towards Irish Creek and then west towards Six Mile Creek.

The ignition operation will be completed using a combination of hand and aerial ignitions to remove fuels that currently lie between the control line and the advancing fire. Ground crews and hose lay will be ready to patrol and monitor for any spotting across the constructed machine guard between Westside Road and Irish Creek.

With the current weather forecast, the BC Wildfire Service anticipates being able to conduct this operation as soon as Wednesday. If weather patterns shift drastically from what is expected, operational personnel will reassess alternative potential suppression options.

The planned ignition area is upwards of 3,000 hectares in size. During the ignition operations, significant amounts of smoke will be visible from nearby communities, including Vernon, Armstrong, Spallumcheen, Glennema, and Falkland. The ignitions will only occur under very specific site conditions and further updates will be provided prior to commencement.

Cooler weather and precipitation in some areas has helped wildfire crews with their efforts however the White Rock Lake fire remains close to Township of Spallumcheen borders. Residents should be prepared for quickly changing situations. The evacuation alert remains in place.

ORIGINAL

While cooler temperatures and some precipitation helped ease fire activity at the White Rock Lake wildfire, the BC Wildfire Service said it害羞草研究所檚 expecting activity to pick up again by this afternoon (Aug. 23).

The service said winds are expected to ease slightly compared to yesterday, but gusts will remain high throughout the day, blowing in from the northwest from 10 to 20 kilometres an hour.

害羞草研究所淔uels continue to dry, especially with recent elevated winds, and fire behaviour is expected to increase into the afternoon as winds pick up,害羞草研究所� BC Wildfire Service said in an update.

On the fire害羞草研究所檚 eastern flank, the service said crews will continue to defend pre-established containment lines to protect communities and structures.

害羞草研究所淪tructure protection personnel are continuing to action hot spots and mop-up around impacted interface areas.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淗eavy equipment has re-established a guard previously used on the Terrace Mountain fire (in 2009) and will have it tied into the pre-established guard at Stuart Lake by the end of the day today (Aug. 23).害羞草研究所�

On the fire害羞草研究所檚 northeast flank, crews continue to use heavy equipment to build a guard from Irish Creek to Six Mile Creek, with the goal of finishing the containment line by the end of the day tomorrow (Aug. 24). Ground crews are also working on laying down a hose line along the control lines from Westside Road, working north towards Irish Creek road, holding the line between Irish Creek and McGregor Creek.

Aerial support continues to cool the area with water buckets to support heavy machinery and crews in the area.

On the fire害羞草研究所檚 north flank, crews continue mop-up from Biancott Lake north to Paxton Lake and then north to Highway 97.

害羞草研究所淭here continues to be no growth along all fire perimeters of the northern finger north of Highway 97 and down towards Woods Lake,害羞草研究所� the service said.

害羞草研究所淎 unit crew continues work on a contingency fuel-free buffer zone from the west side of Pinaus Lake working south towards established containment lines.害羞草研究所�

The fire害羞草研究所檚 west flank hasn害羞草研究所檛 seen growth over the past week but continues to be monitored by aerial resources. Crews are also still in the mop-up stage along the area. Heavy equipment is now starting construction on a contingency line around the Monte Creek area.

A 52-kilometre contingency guard has been set up around along the south flank, from Chapperon Lake moving east towards Fintry Park.

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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