UPDATE: Tactical evacuation rescinded, residents on Clerke Road go home, still on alert

Fire crews from Coldstream, Vernon, the B.C. Wildfire Service and other local departments were on the scene, trying to prevent it from spreading north where about 40 homes are located on Clerke Road.

People living in several hundreds homes in the Kal View area of Coldstream, which is across Highway 97, and those living to the west on Commonage Road and Allan Brooks Way, were put on evacuation alert.

The alerts remain in place as the fire smolders today with a helicopter bucketing water on the site.

There is no word on the cause.

Drive BC issued this update on the highway: There is a wildfire between Kalamalka Lakeview Dr and 23 Ave for 7.8 km (4 km south of Coldstream to Vernon). Detour in effect. Expect delays. Southbound lane closure. Single lane traffic open in both directions via Highway 97 Northbound lane. Detour available via Kalamalka Lakeview Drive.

Clarke Road Tactical Evacuation Rescinded – Evacuation Alert Remains

The tactical evacuation on Clerke Road, resulting from a wildfire in the District, has been rescinded. Residents can now return home – but are still on Evacuation Alert.
An Evacuation Alert means there is still potential risk and residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice.

Things that should be done at this time:

• Gather essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers, immediate care needs for
dependants and, if you choose, valuable keepsakes, photographs, etc. Make these items available for immediate access for a quick departure.
• Know the location of all family members and determine a planned meeting place should an evacuation be called while separated.
• Prepare to evacuate disabled persons and children. Relocate large pets and livestock to a safe area immediately, if possible.
• Arrange accommodation for your family, if possible. In the event of an evacuation, emergency lodging will be provided if necessary. This lodging will probably not permit pets, so it is suggested that alternate arrangements be made for pets at the same time.
It is important that everyone adhere to the directives given by the authorities to ensure their safety in the event of an evacuation.
For more information on emergency preparedness see: Get Prepared for a Wildfire in British Columbia – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

UPDATE: Fire erupts off highway; residents on Clerke Road evacuated, more put on alert Jul 10, 2021 | 6:30 AM

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.

The fire scene appears to be just smoldering this morning and helicopters are at the site, dumping buckets of water.

No further updates have been sent on the fire or the evacuations and alerts.

Fire scene as of 6:15 a.m. Saturday (Pete McIntyre/Vernon Matters)

UPDATE 2:30 a.m. More homes put on evacuation alert

Emergency response continues to a large wildland fire along Highway 97 near Clerke Road, with a unified command from five regional fire departments, BC Wildfire Service, RCMP and BC Ambulance Service.

A tactical evacuation has taken place for residences along Clerke Road. The District of Coldstream has announced an Emergency Support Services (ESS) Centre has been set up at the District’s Town Hall (9901 Kalamalka Road) for evacuees from Clerke Road.

Residences on Commonage Road have been placed under Evacuation Alert, between Allan Brooks Way and Bailey Road.

Residences on Kalamalka Lakeview Drive and Carriage Lane are now being placed on Evacuation Alert by RCMP, with police going door-to-door to notify residents.

The fire remains listed as out of control.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions between Clerke Road and Birnie Road. Motorists are asked to avoid traveling near the area.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

UPDATE: 1:07 a.m.

Drive BC issued the following update:

Highway 97, in both directions: There is a wildfire between Kalamalka Lakeview Dr and 23 Ave for 7.8 km (4 km south of Coldstream to Vernon). Single lane alternating traffic. Bailey Road through Commonage Road is closed.

Photo by Jeff Taylor around when fire exploded up the hill around 10:30 p.m. (Submitted/Facebook)

UPDATE 1:00 a.m.

There has been no official update on how the fire fight is going, but the east-facing side of the fire looks much more subdued now.

UPDATE: 12:47 a.m.

Due to the Clerke Road wildfire, the District of Coldstream has activated its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Level 2.

Residents of Clerke Road are under tactical evacuation due to the wildfire. Affected residents can come to the Emergency Support Services Centre at:
District of Coldstream Municipal Hall
9901, Kalamalka Road,

UPDATE: 12:20 a.m.

A tactical evacuation is currently underway for residences along Clerke Road due to a large wildland fire.

RCMP have gone door-to-door and placed residences on Evacuation Alert on Commonage Road, between Allan Brooks Way and Bailey Road.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) is responding to the fire in conjunction with several other regional fire departments and BC Wildfire Service. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and BC Ambulance Service are also on scene.

The fire is currently listed as out of control.

Highway 97 is reduced to single lane alternating traffic, however, motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

The City of Vernon has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and is actively gathering information and resources to assist the fire response.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

The view as we were evacuating … gonna be a long night pic.twitter.com/4SvdkDluoI

— KeliWestgate (@KeliWestgate) July 10, 2021

12:02 a.m.

The City of Vernon has released the following details on a wildfire at the south end of Clerke Road:

“We can confirm that Vernon Fire Rescue is responding to a large wildland fire in conjunction with multiple regional fire departments and BC Wildfire Service,” Christy Poirier, city manager of communications, told Vernon Matters. “RCMP and BC Ambulance Service are also on scene. RCMP are currently tactically evacuating residents along Clerke Road. We will provide more information and an update when it becomes available.”

Highway 97 is closed in the fire area, but Commonage and Bailey Roads can be used as a detour.

#BCHwy97 Closed at College Way in #VernonBC due to a wildfire. Assessment in progress. Expect delays. https://t.co/2ou6q0fOaX #ColdstreamBC

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 10, 2021

11:20 p.m.

The City of Vernon says it is gathering and confirming information on the fire and will provide details as soon as possible.

Photo shows how close vehicles were to fire just off Highway 97. (Submitted photo)

11:15 p.m.

A resident of Clerke Road tells Vernon Matters they have been evacuated along with her neighbours. Nothing official has been released by Coldstream, Vernon or RDNO as far as evacuations to this point.

View of fire from east side of Kalamalka Lake as of 11:30 p.m.