Two communities in British Columbia’s interior have declared local states of emergency over an aggressive wildfire burning north of Osoyoos.
The Nk’Mip Creek wildfire (formerly known as the Inakeep Creek wildfire) was discovered on Monday 6 km north of Osoyoos.
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On Monday night, the aggressive blaze had grown to approximately 700 hectares in size and had 12 personnel on-site, as well as five helicopters.
UPDATE: This fire has been renamed as the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. https://t.co/5xMbnH9RlS
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 20, 2021
On Tuesday morning, the BC Wildfire Service announced that the fire had increased to 1,100 hectares in size and was classified as “out of control.”
The Osoyoos Indian Band, where the wildfire is located, has declared a state of local emergency (SOLE) and an evacuation order and alert.
Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) has declared a State of Local Emergency and issued an Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Order. @EmergMgtRDOS is sharing on behalf of OIB. @BCGovFireInfo @TownofOliverBC pic.twitter.com/QAZXkGIv0W
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) July 20, 2021
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) also declared a state of local emergency due to the fire and the “imminent threat to life and property.”
EOC Update: State of Local Emergency declared for Electoral Area C July 19, 2021 https://t.co/kEdhLouRzb @BCGovFireInfo @TownofOliverBC
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) July 20, 2021
Evacuation orders are in place for approximately 200 properties in the Osoyoos Indian Band and an additional 60 properties in RDOS. A number of properties in RDOS are also on evacuation alert.