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Firefighters hope favourable weather helps them tame B.C. blaze
By The Canadian Press
KELOWNA, B.C. - Firefighters hope favourable weather allows them to tame a raging forest fire in West Kelowna, B.C.
About 11,000 residents fled their homes after the Glenrosa fire that began Saturday quickly grew to four square kilometres on Sunday. The blaze, which has destroyed at least three homes and is one of three fires in the region, is about 40 per cent contained.
The winds died down somewhat on Sunday and the Glenrosa blaze was being pushed toward Okanagan Lake.
Although today's high for the area is expected to rise above 30 degrees, winds will be light, but there is no rain in the forecast.
In addition to the 11,000 residents ordered out, another 6,000 are on evacuation alert, according to the B.C. Forest Service.
B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell warns that the fire "has the potential to be very volatile" and says the best decision for anyone in the evacuation area is to "get out."
The Rose Valley fire has grown to 1.5 square kilometres and fire officials say the blaze is not contained due to rough terrain.
The third fire at Terrace Mountain, near Fintry, has grown to 8.5 square kilometres, but does not threaten homes or communities.
By The Canadian Press
KELOWNA, B.C. - Firefighters hope favourable weather allows them to tame a raging forest fire in West Kelowna, B.C.
About 11,000 residents fled their homes after the Glenrosa fire that began Saturday quickly grew to four square kilometres on Sunday. The blaze, which has destroyed at least three homes and is one of three fires in the region, is about 40 per cent contained.
The winds died down somewhat on Sunday and the Glenrosa blaze was being pushed toward Okanagan Lake.
Although today's high for the area is expected to rise above 30 degrees, winds will be light, but there is no rain in the forecast.
In addition to the 11,000 residents ordered out, another 6,000 are on evacuation alert, according to the B.C. Forest Service.
B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell warns that the fire "has the potential to be very volatile" and says the best decision for anyone in the evacuation area is to "get out."
The Rose Valley fire has grown to 1.5 square kilometres and fire officials say the blaze is not contained due to rough terrain.
The third fire at Terrace Mountain, near Fintry, has grown to 8.5 square kilometres, but does not threaten homes or communities.
