The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has confirmed that they are attempting to contact one homeowner in Heritage Hills whose home has been lost to the Christie Mountain wildfire, and local authorities are urging people under evacuation order to take it seriously.
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, representatives from the RDOS and the City of Penticton fielded questions from reporters.
RDOS information officer Erick Thompson said they are "trying to contact" the homeowner of a property gutted by the wildfire in the upper part of Heritage Hills and hope to have that happen "within the next hour or two."
He also spoke about residents who have proved reluctant to leave their homes, even under order.
"It's so much better if people can cooperate if they are asked to leave," Thompson said. "It's totally understandable why someone wouldn't want to leave home as a fire approaches but it's about life safety."
Potentially needing rescue also puts emergency service crews at risk who may need to respond. He urged everyone under alert to be ready to go at a moment's notice, a sentiment echoed by Penticton CAO Donny Van Dyk.
"We are currently planning for evacuation planning should the alert become an order, everything from route planning, transportation logistics," to reception centres and housing, Van Dyk said.
"It's been a team effort so far, and I think there are longer days ahead of us."
Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki expressed sympathy for those under evacuation alert in the city, a category into which he himself falls.
"Please stay safe and be ready to leave at a moment's notice so they can save all those memories that I'm sure they've collected over the years," Vassilaki said.
Van Dyk said the people in the nearly 3,700 properties under alert will all have a place to go should that change to an order.
"We've already been in contact with the District of Summerland and [CAO Anthony Haddad] sent over a list of facilities in addition to the Trade and Convention Centre, the SOEC," Van Dyk said. "In addition to that we have [Emergency Support Services working on hotel rooms all the way north of Salmon Arm ... rest assured, should an evacuation order occur, we will have the ability to put a roof over people's heads."
The Christie Mountain wildfire is now estimated at 1,400 hectares and wildfire activity is expected to increase as the heat of the day goes on.
BC Wildfire information officer Taylor MacDonald said currently, 66 firefighters and 7 helicopters are on scene, with two more helicopters en route. Four water tenders are also continuing to shuttle water.
The growth from 1,000 to 1,400 hectares is attributed to wind activity. Determining accurate size has been difficult according to MacDonald, due to heavy smoke in the air.
Currently, weather conditions are treating the firefighters well.
"The wind is favourable, away from town at this time, but we are moving into the hottest and driest part of the day," MacDonald said.
As the afternoon progresses fire activity is expected to increase due to the heat.
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