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91ƵWe got your back91Ƶ: Okanagan Indian Band firefighters

Westside residents unable to sleep at night given assurance that firefighters are on fire watch 24-7
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The White Rock Lake fire is creeping in the Sugarloaf Mountain valley near Westside. (Contributed)

Dark plumes of smoke, flickers of flame and ash raining down have produced many sleepless nights for Westside residents.

But Okanagan Indian Band Fire Rescue crews want those residents who are not yet on evacuation order to know that they are in good hands.

91ƵRest easy,91Ƶ OKIB firefighter Mike Doherty said. 91ƵWe got your back.91Ƶ

OKIB fire crews are patrolling 24-7 on fire watch up and down Westside Road and up the hills.

91ƵWe have portable pumps all along and up and down Westside Road to fill water trucks and B.C. Wildfire has a number of fire trucks from around the province available,91Ƶ Doherty said.

Fintry resident Susan Cseh and her daughter spoke with some firefighters that were there on watch Thursday evening (Aug. 5).

91ƵThey said it looks like the way this fire is travelling it is going to reach a valley which will be directly behind Sugarloaf Mountain,91Ƶ said Cseh, who is on evacuation alert. 91ƵI feel confident that the fire will not reach Fintry as we are more southeast and this fire seems to be going northeast and a bit of south but not as far as where I live.91Ƶ

The estimated 45,000-hectare fire saw significant action overnight, with many structures being lost in Monte Lake.

The most southeastern fire perimeter is approximately five kilometres west of Westside Road, B.C. Wildfire Service said.

Last night, those who chose not to follow evacuation orders put crews at tremendous risk.

91ƵEfforts were taken away from actively suppressing the wildfire and protecting structures and were redirected towards tactically evacuating those who choose to remain in evacuation order areas,91Ƶ the Wildfire Service said. 91ƵIf you are in an evacuation order area you must leave immediately.91Ƶ

The OKIB echoes the sentiments and reminds those who refuse to leave aren91Ƶt eligible for protection.

91ƵThe structural protection crews will not protect occupied properties. In addition, aerial tankers cannot drop water or retardant on occupied homes,91Ƶ OKIB said. 91ƵFor the benefit of yourself and all members, it is important that you evacuate now.91Ƶ

Further wind gusts upwards of 40 kilometres an hour are expected into this evening and the public is urged to maintain a heightened awareness of the situation over the next 48 hours and be prepared for further potential evacuations.

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Okanagan Indian Band Fire Rescue crews are on 24/7 fire watch patrolling the area. (Susan Cseh photo)


Jennifer Smith

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