'There's fire close to people's homes': Out-of-control wildfire near Osoyoos growing
Looking for the latest update? Here's more from July 21.
VANCOUVER -- An out-of-control wildfire burning about six kilometres north of Osoyoos, B.C., has forced the evacuation of more than 200 properties and left many others on evacuation alert.
The aggressive Nk’Mip fire has grown to an estimated 2,000 hectares, filling the skies with smoke as crews work to control the flames.
Jared Casmier says he saw the fire flare up on the mountainside, and within hours, word came that he had to leave.
“Just chaos, all the fire and all the smoke,” he said, describing the scene.
Casmier says many people living on Osoyoos Indian Band land are worried what they might come back to.
“There’s fire close to people’s homes. There’s hotspots. It's going up to the mountain, affecting the wildlife,” he said.
The fire broke out late afternoon Monday near Inkaneep Road, which the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Services said is within Osoyoos Indian Band jurisdiction.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., the band issued an evacuation order for nearly 200 properties. Residents were told to leave the area immediately and register as an evacuee in Oliver.
Later that evening, the regional district ordered evacuations at about 60 more properties.
Dozens more in the district are under evacuation alert, including Roy Weiss's home.
“We were just here yesterday afternoon. A big plume of smoke came out of the north side and it just took hold,” he told CTV News.
“About midnight we woke to it coming over the top of the ridge and flames coming down this side,” Weiss explained.
Weiss and his neighbours have been patrolling the area looking for any falling embers that could cause a fire to ignite closer to them.
Residents on evacuation alert have been told to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Pilots have been hard at work dumping water on the fire – but despite their efforts, the fire has continued to spread.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child under the age of 5, who was not immunized against the virus, has died of measles in the province, a new surveillance report from Public Health Ontario confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Most Canadians support abortion, one-third see Conservatives as least supportive: poll
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests.