News Release No. 86            

Date:   Monday September 8, 2003      

Time:   12:00 p.m.

 

PRC RECEPTION CENTRE:                                     762-5361

PUBLIC INFORMATION LINE:                                 869-0386

RECOVERY CENTRE OFFICE:                                868-2632

EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES (EOC):             868-2605

    

BC FOREST SERVICE FIRE INFORMATION:      1 888 336-7378

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EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

 

Kelowna, B.C.  –

 

The B.C. Fire Commissioner has rescinded the Evacuation Orders in place due to the Okanagan Mountain Park fire. All 4,250 residents affected by the Evacuation Orders are now able to return to their homes.

 

Residents are reminded that they remain on Evacuation Alert. Should weather conditions change and the fire flare, it may be necessary to issue new Evacuation Orders. Residents should keep valuable possessions ready, should this occur.

 

The fire grew 300 hectares in the past 24 hours; the fire has now consumed 25,600 hectares (256 square kilometres). Last night’s activity was primarily in an easterly direction and did not threaten any residential areas.

 

The Kelowna Fire Department is in the process of scaling down the number of out of town trucks and crews on stand by at the Enterprise Way Firehall. Some of these units are being re-deployed today by the Fire Commissioner.