More than 500 properties under evacuation alert as wildfire burns north of West Kelowna

More than 500 properties under evacuation alert as wildfire burns north of West Kelowna

Out-of-control fire is burning near the La Casa community on the west side of Okanagan Lake

A newly discovered out-of-control wildfire burning in B.C.’s Central Okanagan has prompted an evacuation alert for more than 500 properties in a popular vacation destination north of West Kelowna.

Central Okanagan Emergency Management said the alert affects more than 1,100 people in the La Casa area on the west side of the Okanagan Lake, including La Casa Lakeside Resort and La Casa Cottages.

Residents and visitors under the alert are being told to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice and be ready to remain away for an extended period.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire (K51214) has grown to an estimated 5.18 hectares, or about 0.05 square kilometres as of Saturday evening since it was discovered at around 4 p.m., earlier in the day.

It says 14 firefighters are battling the fire alongside the North Westside Fire Department, with multiple aircraft supporting the response.

Skimmer planes and helicopters are drawing water from Okanagan Lake to attack the flames and the wildfire service is asking boaters to leave areas where aircraft are operating to avoid interfering with suppression efforts.

Crews were observing Rank 2 and Rank 3 fire behaviour, meaning the fire was burning along the surface with open flames and spreading at a slow to moderate rate.