Clerke Road fire July 9. (Pete McIntyre/Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Fire update

RDNO and Coldstream homes no longer on evacuation alert for Clerke Road fire

Jul 10, 2021 | 9:25 PM

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Clerke Road fire south of Vernon is “being held.”

At last report, 25 provincial firefighters were working on the fire site under the jurisdiction of Vernon Fire Rescue, but that was subject to change due to other priorities.

The fire’s new size is 43 hectares, up from the previous 20, but the service’s Taylor Shantz said that is due to more accurate mapping, rather than growth.

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Fire crews continue their work to douse hot spots and monitor the Clerke Road wildfire site south of Vernon.

As of 11:30 a.m. July 10, the B.C. Wildfire Service listed the fire as 20 hectares in size and as ‘new,” with no state of control listed, but the fire area appears to be smoldering with little or no visible fire activity today.

The fire is said to have started in Regional District of North Okanagan jurisdiction but also encompassed the District of Coldstream where some homes on Clerke Road are located.

The cause is under investigation.

A number of homes and properties remain on alert a day after the fire raced up a hill and led to tactical evacuations and evacuation alerts for several hundred homes.

Incredible fire near Vernon, BC and Coldstream, BC. Too close for comfort! #vernonfire #vernonbc #BCFires pic.twitter.com/XuUiclFzAs

— Reid Nespor (@Rnespor) July 10, 2021

At 2:14 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) issued an Evacuation Alert to certain properties in Electoral Area “B” on Kalamalka Lakeview Drive, Highridge Road, and one property on Highway 97. The RCMP informed residents of the alert in the early morning hours by going door-to-door.

The alert remains in effect, and means that there is still potential risk and residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

The following areas are included in this Alert:

· 202, 224, 238, (11-16) 245, 252, 265, 275, 280, 285, (1-7) 315 Kalamalka Lakeview Drive,

· 310, 341, 365, 387, 399, 411, 415, 417, 421, 425, 433 Highridge Road

· 324 Highway 97 of Electoral area B, RDNO

“Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” a RDNO news release stated.

As of 11:07 a.m. July 10, an Evacuation Alert also remains in effect for Clerke Road. This alert was issued and is managed by the District of Coldstream. More information is available on their website.

Tactical evacuations of about 40 homes on Clerke Road were rescinded Saturday morning with the fire in a more subdued smoldering state.

#BREAKING: New #bcwildfire in #ColdstreamBC.

Details coming up on @GlobalBC News at 11.#VernonBC pic.twitter.com/U4VruAoVfb

— Jordan Armstrong (@jarmstrongbc) July 10, 2021

Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility closed Saturday, July 10

The Regional District of North Okanagan has closed the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility (landfill) at 120 Birnie Road for the day, July 10, due to fire crew activity in the area.

“A wildland fire was reported on Friday evening, which moved quickly in areas near the DDF and prompted a multi-jurisdictional response. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters and emergency personnel, the fire did not reach the landfill. Some grass on the road up to the site was burnt, but there was no serious impact to the facility,” RDNO communications officer Ashley Gregerson said.

As of 8:00 AM on July 10, fire crews are still in the area, so the landfill will be closed for the day to ensure crews have the space and road access they require.

If customers require access to a Diversion and Disposal Facility, they can use the Armstrong Spallumcheen DDF (3367 Powerhouse Road) or the Lumby & Area D DDF (221 Trinity Valley Road). The RDNO expects to reopen the Greater Vernon DDF tomorrow but will closely monitor the situation and provide an update.

What you should do while on Evacuation Alert:

· Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.

· Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.

· Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.

· Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).

· Arrange transportation for all your household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles. If transportation assistance is needed, call 250 550 3299.

· Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.

· Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating. Monitor [news/radio/online source] for information on evacuation orders and location of Reception Centres.

Further information will be issued at 12:00pm July 10, 2021, or visit RDNO website/ or Facebook page for more information.

More information:

View the official Evacuation Alert Notice, issued at 2:14 AM

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is the lead agency in response to the fire and is providing regular updates through its interactive wildfire map.

The City of Vernon issued the following updatde on the fire at 9:39 a.m. July 10

(As of 9:30 a.m.) Emergency response continues to a wildland fire along Highway 97 near Clerke Road.

BC Wildfire Services (BCWS) is responding to the fire with approximately 25 personnel and three water tenders and is providing updates through its interactive wildfire map. As of the time of this release, BCWS estimated the fire to be 20.00 HA in size.

Vernon Fire Rescue (VFRS) assisted in the overnight response with five apparatus and 23 personnel on site. This morning, VFRS has one fire tender on site and continues to assist with response efforts. A unified command that was activated overnight also included fire response from the District of Coldstream, Lavington, BX-Swan Lake and Lake Country, as well as support from the RCMP and BC Ambulance Service.

Evacuation alert and order information is being updated from the District of Coldstream on its website for those who have been placed on notice.

“Last night’s fire was a fast-moving event and involved many emergency response agencies from across the North Okanagan and the BC Wildfire Service,” said Fire Chief David Lind. “Thanks to the quick and coordinated approach by all those involved, firefighters were able to ensure no structures were lost. No injuries were reported as a result of last night’s event.”

The City would like to thank all agencies involved in the overnight response and for those who continue to respond to the fire today, and for the tireless efforts that have helped protect our communities.