The Bald Range Creek wildfire (submitted photo/Facebook)

By Russ Byth

being held

UPDATE: Evacuation alerts lifted for Westside Road wildfire, road closed again

Jul 18, 2023 | 5:00 PM

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

Westside Road has been closed again through the fire zone, between Main St. and Shelter Cove for 4.9 km, 11 to 16 km east of West Kelowna.

Drive BC will provide the next update at 8 p.m.

Click here for updates.

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The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has rescinded the evacuation alerts for 18 properties in the area of the Bald Range Creek wildfire.

The properties are located between 3985 to 4069 Westside Road.

The BC Wildfire Centre says the fire is now “being held” and has shown little or no growth since Monday night, estimated at just over 4 hectares.

Westside Road has reopened to single lane alternating traffic between Secret Cove and Bella Vista Estates.

BC Hydro has restored a partial return of power.

“With the rescinding of the evacuation alerts for the Bald Range Creek Wildfire, the EOC is no longer activated and operating. The centre remains on standby and will be re-activated should another emergency require support and coordination,” a news release from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations stated.

UPDATE: 10 a.m. July 18, 2023
Little or no growth on Westside Road wildfire

The Bald Range Creek wildfire off Westside Road remains active but is showing little or no growth as provincial and local fire crews continue to action it.

The fire broke out Monday, July 17, and has 18 properties in the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s Electoral Area West on evacuation alert.

The latest estimate has it at 4.08 hectares in size and classified as out of control.

“We have ten personnel responding today,” Taylor Shantz from the Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters. “The update this morning was the fire was burning as rank 1 and 2 by yesterday evening, so a low vigorous surface fire with some shouldering areas. There was a lot of reduction in fire behaviour towards the evening.”

Shantz said there are structures in the vicinity but they are not imminently threatened.

Westside Road between Main Street and Deighton Road remains closed until further notice.

BC Hydro has restored a partial return of power.

(Update by Pete McIntyre)

Wildfire in Westside Road area
July 17, 2023

BC Wildfire ground crews, aircraft, and local firefighters were called to a wildfire above Westside Road, north of the Lake Okanagan Resort about 6 p.m. Monday evening.

The wind added to the danger of fighting the Bald Range Creek fire as tankers dropped retardant to try and keep the spread in check.

Other air tankers repeatedly scooped up water from the lake.

An evacuation alert was issued within the RDCO Electoral Area West for 18 properties from 3985 to 4069 Westside Road.

Around 8 p.m., the aerial attack was paying off and the smoke turned white and flames weren’t visible as the size was estimated at 4.08 hectares at the time.

Officials say the fire remains active and is being monitored overnight by BC Wildfire crews. Wilson’s Landing and North Westside fire crews will continue to monitor the roads and assist BC Wildfire.

The cause was under investigation and the power went out for a number of customers in the area.

The fire (K51840) was about 15 kms north of West Kelowna.

Westside Road between Main Street and Deighton Road was closed overnight because of the fire. DriveBC.ca will provide an update at 7 a.m.

And for those who remember, it was nine years ago on July 17 that the Smith Creek fire started in West Kelowna, before growing to 260 hectares.