UPDATE: Fire near Mabel Lake slightly larger, evacuation alert still in effect

One helicopter is currently responding with the assistance of heavy equipment and industry personnel. BC Wildfire Service will continue to monitor this fire.

Review what to gather for your go-bag here.

Click here to see a map of the affected area.

Please note: This map is not specific to any particular address within the shown evacuation alert boundary, but a general guideline. Any property in close proximity to the wildland should be prepared, and ready to evacuate during threatened times.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

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 persons with disabilities, 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.
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.
The RDNO is closely monitoring the situation, and we expect to provide the next update on July 19, at 12 PM through our website and on Facebook.

UPDATE July 17, 12:00 p.m.

The evacuation alert remains in place for 10,000 block -17,000 block of Mabel Lake Forest Service Road — aka Lumby Mabel Lake Road — including properties known as Cottonwoods, due to the Bunting Road Fire east of Mabel Lake.

The BC Wildfire Service tells Vernon Matters the fire is still listed at 277 hectares, same as Friday, and still classified as ‘out of control.’

The location is 41 km’s north east of Lumby.

Residents on an evacuation alert should prepare to leave at any moment, should the situation evolve and result in an elevated risk. Overnight, there have been no significant changes, but the wildfire on the eastside of Mabel Lake (K41561) still poses a potential risk to life, health, and escape route access.

The RDNO is closely monitoring the situation, and we expect to provide the next update on July 18, at 12 pm through its website and on Facebook.

Review what to gather for your go-bag here.

Evacuation alert issued for Mabel Lake Road Forest Service Road July 16, 2021

An evacuation alert has been issued due to a wildfire on the east side of Mabel Lake, east of Enderby.

The Regional District of North Okanagan says the alert covers properties in the 10,000 to 17,000 blocks of Mabel Lake Forest Service Road – also known as Lumby Mabel Lake Road — and includes properties known as Cottonwoods.

The Bunting Lake Fire is at 277 hectares and classified as out of control.

The alert means residents have to be ready to leave their homes should it be necessary.

“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.

The map below shows the alert area. It’s not specific to any particular address within the shown evacuation alert boundary, but a general guideline. Any property in close proximity to the wildland should be prepared, and ready to evacuate during threatened times.

(Submitted image/RDNO)

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

· 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 persons with disabilities, 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.

· 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 July 17, 2021 @ 12:00 hrs (noon), or visit RDNO website / Facebook page and local radio for more information.

by Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: Fire near Mabel Lake slightly larger, evacuation alert still in effect

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