Kelowna Being Ripped by Wildfire
By 250 News
Saturday, July 18, 2009 06:23 PM
Google image of area ( Glenrosa) that has been evacuated
Kelowna, B.C. – Three thousand homes have been ordered evacuated in Kelowna’s Glenrosa subdivision as a forest fire rips through the neighbourhood.
The fire started this afternoon on the hill above the Gorman Brothers mill, and from 4 hectares, the wind quickly whipped the flames across 50 hectares.
Ministry of Forests has 3 air tankers and five choppers battling the blaze from the air, and ground crews have arrived to assist the Kelowna Fire department. Fire crews have been called in from Peachland as well.
Three homes have already been destroyed, another dozen threatened. Neighbours report residents of the threatened area are moving their families and livestock (horses) out of the area.
Evacuees are being told to assemble at the new arena in West Kelowna ( Westbank) .
The wind is playing havoc on the area, with gusty winds of 40 km whipping up the flames. One resident reports he is on the east side of the lake, and embers from Glenrosa have now touched off a fire at the Tolko sawmill.
Highway 97 is closed in both directions from Peachland to Junction of Westside road ( 19 km) because of the forest fire.
Residents are being advised to call the folowing number for more information: 250-469-8490
If you have photos or video of the fire, please send them to us, and we will post them
Send your information to talk@opinion250.com
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Posted by: herbster on July 18 2009 6:54 PM