The White Rock Lake wildfire continues to burn out of control at an estimated 55,000 hectares, growing more by more than 20,000 hectares in the past two days and prompting thousands of more evacuations in the Okanagan on Friday night.
Structure protection crews were patrolling as far north as Swan Lake, moving up and down the evacuated areas on Westside Road through the night while winds of up to 40 km/h challenged suppression efforts.
鈥� Shylah Lariviere (@potterywitch86)
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Evacuation orders now extend from La Casa Lakeside Resort in the Regional District of Central Okanagan through the whole of Okanagan Indian Band IR No. 1.
Evacuation alerts were also expanded, now including the entire communities of Vernon, Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Chase and surrounding areas in the Regional District of North Okanagan.
The City of Vernon鈥檚 late-night expansion to its alert area was done in an abundance of caution and was based on advice from BC Wildfire Services. *
The alert in Vernon excludes the Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill neighbourhoods; Okanagan Landing South neighbourhoods (areas of Eastside Road, The Outback, Ellison Provincial Park Inkster, Delcliffe, Whitepoint, Smith Road, Peters Road, Kokanee/Sunset properties, Harbour Heights, Beverly Hills Estates); and the Commonage Area, south of Bench Row Road.
view from across the lake at Ellison Park. Can see emergency vehicles just below along Westside Rd with the fire steadily moving down. Stay safe everyone 馃檹.
鈥� Jennifer Granger (@jgranger001)
Through the day on Friday, the blaze was actioned by 99 wildland firefighters, 125 structure protection personnel, 13 helicopters, eight danger tree assessors/fallers and 51 pieces of heavy equipment.
Highway 97 remains closed in both directions between Pleasant Valley Road and Monte Creek, and Westside Road is closed from Pinecrest Road to Six Mile Creek Road.
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READ MORE: Wildfire crews forced to rescue Monte Lake residents who ignored evacuation order
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Editor鈥檚 note: A version of this story did not include Vernon鈥檚 latest evacuation alert information and has been corrected for accuracy. Black Press apologizes for the error and any inconvenience.
