Nk'Mip Creek wildfire: Evacuation order partially rescinded by Osoyoos Indian Band
The evacuation order issued by the Osoyoos Indian Band due to the raging Nk'Mip Creek wildfire has been partially rescinded, allowing some evacuees back into their homes.
Officials lifted the order for 176 properties on Wednesday afternoon, but said the addresses remain under evacuation alert, meaning the residents must be prepared to flee at a moment's notice.
"An evacuation order may need to be reissued," warns the notice, which was signed by Ronny McGinnis of the band council.
Another 26 addresses, all located along Nk'Mip and Black Sage roads, remain under evacuation order.
The nearby wildfire, which broke out on Monday, has already grown to an estimated 2,000 hectares. As of Wednesday evening, the B.C. Wildfire Service still had the blaze classified as "out of control."
There are 37 firefighters working to control the flames with five helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment, according to officials.
Additional evacuation orders and alerts have been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, affecting hundreds more properties.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff told CTV Morning Live Wednesday residents have been watching the Nk'Mip Creek wildfire spread with great concern.
"The fire was between Oliver and Osoyoos – the north end of the lake – and then it spread south," McKortoff said. "All evacuees, wherever they're from in this area, go to the Oliver Legion."
Visitors staying at Spirit Ridge Resort and the nearby campground on Osoyoos Indian Band land were ordered to leave and were asked to return home, if possible.
"We don't have any extra hotel rooms here that are open," McKortoff said, adding that vacationers heading to the area should "do their homework" before visiting.
For example, McKortoff said when she went to put gas in her car Tuesday, the station had run out.
"I'm going to have to ration myself as to where I go," she said.
McKortoff also said visitors should be aware of the weather conditions. Environment Canada has an air quality advisory in place for most of southeastern B.C. due to wildfire smoke.
"There's smoke everywhere so you need to know that. If you're coming here, you need to be able to adjust to that," McKortoff said.
"We don't know how long it's going to last … think carefully before you venture up here because you may not be able to do all of the things you wanted to do."
Up-to-date information on evacuation orders and alerts is available through EmergencyInfoBC.
Correction
A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Ronnie McGinnis as chief. McGinnis is a councillor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.