Update: 2:50 p.m.
A further evacuation alert has been issued by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) due to the Noble Canyon wildfire near Lavington.
Five more properties and the Willems Mill are now under evacuation alert.
The following areas within RDNO Electoral Area D are under an evacuation alert and must be prepared to leave on short notice:
Going east to west, starting at 5280 Highway 6 heading east to the Tolko mill: 4290, 4280, 4289, and 4850 Highway 6, including Willems Mill (north to south, about 500 metres on either side of Highway 6).
The evacuation alert has been issued to prepare residents to evacuate their premises, property, or recreational site within the mapped area 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," the RDNO said.
If your property has been put on evacuation alert:
• Locate 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 IDs, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers, immediate care needs for dependents, and, if time and space permit, keepsakes for quick departure.
• Prepare to move persons with disabilities, children, or neighbours, if assistance is needed.
• Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area.
• Arrange transportation for all household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
• If possible, arrange accommodation for all members of the residence. Persons with disabilities or who require assistance should contemplate evacuation before a mandatory order. Support services can be available after a mandatory order is issued.
• Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating.
• Monitor the news, radio, and online sources for information on evacuation orders and the location of Reception Centres.
Update: 1:25 p.m.
The Noble Canyon wildfire burning near Lavington, east of Vernon, is now 66 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire Service (BCW) updated the size estimate of the fire late Saturday morning. The fire is believed to have been caused by humans.
Aerial resources are currently responding to the blaze and structure protection is underway, according to BCW, which adds that 35 firefighting personnel are still working on getting the fire contained.
The 66 hectares is up from the 50-hectare size estimate BCW provided Friday evening to earlier Saturday morning.
Original:
After remaining at the scene overnight, crews are continuing to battle the Noble Canyon wildfire near Lavington Saturday, Sept. 6.
The wildfire about 12.5 kilometres east of Vernon was and quickly grew to 50 hectares amid aggressive rank four fire behaviour before temperatures cooled in the evening and the growth slowed.
There are no additional evacuation orders or alerts Saturday morning but the ones issued Friday evening remain in place. Fifteen properties on Highway 6 and Noble Canyon Road are under an and were told to leave the area immediately. A long list of other properties are on an and must prepare to leave at a moment's notice.
The District of Coldstream declared a local state of emergency due to the wildfire.
Crews continue to work on the east and west flanks of the fire, which is part of the work they were doing last night with support from a night vision helicopter conducting bucket operations. The Lavington Fire Department patrolled through the evening once those aerial tasks had wrapped up.
"Crews returned to the fire today to continue establishing those fuel-free lines and work towards containment," said BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) fire information officer Taylor Stewart-Shantz Saturday morning.
Currently there are 35 personnel on site with fixed-wing planes and helicopters available as needed.
"We'll probably start to see some of those resources pile in as we get into the heat of the day," Stewart-Shantz said.
Temperatures are expected to climb to a high of 29 C Saturday. Stewart-Shantz said BCWS is aware that temperatures will rise and expects to see increased fire behaviour in the afternoon, but the hope is that the smoke currently blanketing the region will keep temperatures slightly lower and increase humidity.
"We'll just have to see what the afternoon brings," she said.
Overnight, the fire displayed rank one and two behaviour — from smouldering ground fire to a low vigour surface fire. Rank one is currently being seen Saturday morning.
The fire is listed as out of control, meaning it is expected to grow beyond its current 50-hectare perimeter, but Stewart-Shantz said it is currently growing more to the north, where there are fewer structures.
The District of Coldstream has extended its Emergency Social Services (ESS) registration centre at municipal hall (9901 Kalamalka Rd.) to 4 p.m. Saturday. Those on evacuation order can register for emergency support services at municipal hall or online at . They can also call Red Cross at 1-888-800-6493.
Those who do not have family or friends to stay with and whose home insurance does not cover their living expenses during evacuations may be eligible for support from the provincial government, the district said.
Support is coming from more than the firefighters. Heather Lastik Hilton, owner of COBS Bread in Vernon, took to social media to offer bread, buns, savouries and sweets to anyone who has been evacuated by the wildfire and needs food.
