UPDATE: 8:58 p.m.
The community of Renata, on the east shore of Lower Arrow Lake, is now on evacuation alert due to a nearby wildfire.
BC Wildfire Service said the fire, which originated around 7.5 kilometres west of the community, has grown significantly and is now estimated at 2,196 hectares.
Crews were better able to attain an accurate perimeter during a window of visibility, BCWS said in a tweet before 9 p.m. July 21.
“The significant size increase occurred as a number of small fires in close proximity have merged together,” the provincial agency said.
For clarification’s sake, BCWS is referring to this fire, which is burning south of the Michaud Creek Wildfire, the Renata Cree #1 wildfire.
A third fire, believed to be caused by lightning, is burning out of control at an estimated 2,597 hectares in Gladstone Park.
The #BCWildfire Service is continuing to respond to fires that originated approximately 7.5 kilometres west of the community of Renata. A window of visibility gave officers the ability to attain an accurate perimeter map and the size is now estimated at 2,196 hectares. pic.twitter.com/GuQKBS8rn1
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 22, 2021
ORIGINAL:
Hundreds of residents in the Edgewood, Whatshan Lake and Needles areas are being evacuated due a wildfire.
An evacuation order was put in place shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, by the Regional District of Central Kootenays.
A total of 356 properties are affected.
The @RDofCK has expanded its Evacuation Order for the Michaud Creek wildfire (N51765) in Electoral Area K to include the communities of Edgewood and Needles north to Whatshan Lake for a total of 356 properties.
Highway 6 east of Cherryville and the Needles Ferry are closed to the public in order to assist evacuees. Evacuation traffic is allowed to travel west on the highway towards Vernon.
The evacuation is due to the Michaud Creek wildfire in electoral area K. The fire is 2,760 hectares in size.
Those present in the affected area are required to leave immediately. Those who do not have anywhere to go are asked to report to Emergency Social Services at the Kelowna Community Church, 1480 Sutherland Ave.
All evacuees should register themselves and their family via either online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ or call 1-800-268-7325.
For more information visit www.rdck.ca or call the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre at 250-352-7701. A full list of evacuated addresses is online here.
The RCMP are assisting in ensuring people evacuate.
READ MORE: Needles Ferry and Highway 6 closed east of Cherryville
READ MORE: 3,000 hectare wildfire closes Mabel Lake forest service road
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