A raging wildfire in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley has forced 1,500 people from their homes in the community of Peachland and officials are asking dozens more to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Emergency officials were waiting for first light on Monday to conduct helicopter surveys of the fire. Peachland Mayor Keith Fielding said four homes were believed to be burning but no one was reported injured. Fire officials confirmed that the fast-moving blaze, which was spotted in an area called Trepanier Bench sometime late Sunday afternoon, was quickly whipped into a major burn by 30 to 40 km/h winds, reaching an estimated 100 hectares in size by 6 p.m. PT. About 150 firefighters from the region and province were extinguishing spot fires and monitoring the blaze overnight. Forecasters were predicting a cold front to move in early this morning, creating unpredictable conditions. Fresh erratic winds up to 40 km/h were predicted, but so too was the possibility of light rain, along with lower temperatures around 17 C that might temper the flames. Resident Charles Kilpatrick, who spoke to CBC News from an emergency evacuation centre after being ordered out of his home by RCMP, said the fire progressed "very quickly." "Within a matter of an hour, really, we just looked over the lake and saw the smoke and then sure enough it just spread," he said. Residents on a number of streets were ordered to leave their homes. Other sections of the community are under an evacuation alert and officials says residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice. Residents are asked to report to the emergency social services reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Hall at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna. (more)
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