(UPDATE: Aug. 6 @ 9:40 am) – The evacuation order for the Quilpituk Creek wildfire has indeed been expanded this morning.

The evacuation alert issued for Shelter Cove, Secret Point and Cinnabar Creek is now an evacuation order, as officials previously indicated was expected to be the case at some point today.

Specific addresses included in the order, all along Westside Road, are: 3545, 3595, 3625, 3645, 3677, 3707, 3723, 3737, 3751, 3765, 3777, 3850, 3985, 4017, 4029, 4049, 4069, 4129, 4163, 4200, 4215, 4400, 4401 and 4625.

"The evacuation route is south on Westside Road," noted a release from Central Okanagan Emergency Management. "Please follow instructions of emergency personnel and traffic control in the area."

In addition, an evacuation alert has been issued for properties south of Cinnabar Creek, which includes the Wilson's Landing and west rural areas.

Properties included in the alert are: 1750 N Westside Rd. to 3523 N Westside Rd., Bald Range Creek, Bear Creek Road, north and west of existing gravel pit, Canon Creek, Jenny Creek Road, Lake Okanagan Resort, Westside Place and Wilsons Landing (Bancroft Road, Browse Road, Banff Road, Bolton Road and Baird Road).

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Quilpituk Creek wildfire remains an estimated 742 hectares.

(UPDATE: Aug. 6 @ 5:45 am) – Central Okanagan Emergency Management says an evacuation alert for several Westside Road areas is expected to be upgraded to an evacuation order this morning.

The agency says the current alert for Shelter Cove, Secret Point and Cinnabar Creek is expected to become an evacuation order on Thursday.

The affected area is in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.

COEM says BC Wildfire Service has advised that forecasted weather conditions are expected to increase fire behaviour and contribute to growth of the Quilpituk Creek wildfire.

Officials stressed that the notice is not yet an evacuation order and residents are not being asked to leave at this time.

Photo credit: Central Okanagan Emergency ManagementThe affected area.

COEM says the advance warning is being provided so residents have extra time to prepare themselves, their families, pets and property before an order is issued.

“Evacuation orders are often implemented with little warning when conditions change rapidly,” the agency said.

“In this case, forecasted weather conditions have provided a rare opportunity to notify residents in advance, giving them more time to prepare.”

The anticipated evacuation order includes the following Westside Road addresses:

• 3545
• 3595
• 3625
• 3645
• 3677
• 3707
• 3723
• 3737
• 3751
• 3765
• 3777
• 3850
• 3985
• 4017
• 4029
• 4049
• 4069
• 4129
• 4163
• 4200
• 4215
• 4400
• 4401
• 4625

Residents in those areas are being told to prepare to leave at short notice once the evacuation order is issued.

COEM says people should gather essential items, including medications, identification, important documents, insurance information, wallets, keys and chargers.

Residents should also pack clothing and personal necessities for several days away from home.

The agency is urging people to make arrangements for pets, livestock and family members who may need assistance.

Residents are also being told to plan where they will stay once evacuated and to make sure all household members know an evacuation order is expected.

Emergency Support Services will be available once the anticipated evacuation order is in effect.

Residents can pre-register with ESS by creating a profile through the Evacuee Registration and Assistance tool at ess.gov.bc.ca.

The evacuation order will be issued through the COEM Emergency Notification System.

Residents are being encouraged to subscribe for emergency notifications at COEmergency.ca/subscribe.

All other evacuation orders and alerts for the Quilpituk Creek wildfire area remain in place.

The ESS reception centre at the Westbank Lions Community Centre, located at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna, was scheduled to reopen at 9 am today.

Anyone looking for more information can call the public information line at 250-469-8490 or toll-free at 1-877-569-8490.

(UPDATE: Aug. 5 @ 1:40 pm) – There's a little bit of good news regarding the Quilpituk Creek wildfire burning out of control south of La Casa on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

Central Okanagan Emergency Management reports that while the blaze continues to grow from 742 hectares, the fire activity is considered low to moderate with mostly smouldering and surface fire behaviour.

The flames and smoulder is spreading upslope to the northwest, away from nearby communities.

However, the BC Wildfire Service stressed the weather forecast continues hot and dry and an increase or change in wind could lead to amped up fire activity.

Photo Credit: Big White Fire Department

Evacuation orders remain in place for 2,223 properties and evacuation alerts for 425 more.

Central Okanagan Emergency Management knows that residents want to return home, but reiterates that it's still unsafe to do so because of the proximity of fire and other hazards such as damaged utilities, precarious trees and dodgy road conditions.

Westside Road is still closed heading north at Caesars Landing and heading south at Highway 97.

(UPDATE: Aug. 4 @ 1:50 pm) – The out-of-control Quilpituk Creek wildfire has ballooned to 742 hectares Tuesday afternoon from 565 hectares on Monday night and Tuesday morning, according the BC Wildfire Service.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 2,223 properties and evacuation alerts remain for an additional 425 properties.

(UPDATE: Aug. 4 @ 6 am) – The Quilpituk Creek wildfire rages on early this morning.

The BC Wildfire Service said in a statement late on Monday night that there had been "additional growth" in the blaze, though it's official size estimate remains at 565 hectares.

Photo credit: BCWSThe fire on Aug. 3.

"This growth continues to be slope driven, to the northwest, this continues to be up slope and away from community areas," BCWS explained, adding that crews were planning to work overnight.

(UPDATE: Aug. 3 @ 6 pm) – The BC Wildfire Service now estimates the Quilpituk Creek wildfire at 565 hectares.

According to Central Okanagan Emergency Management (CORD), evacuation orders are in place for 2,223 properties and another 425 are under evacuation alerts.

"Overnight support for evacuees is available at Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Rd.) for group lodging," a CORD statement notes. "The site is equipped with snacks, water, sleeping cots, washroom facilities and first aid. Security patrolled parking is available on site."

On Monday, crews completed a sprinkler line set up along the power line on the west flank. The fire will be monitored overnight.

(UPDATE: Aug. 3 @ noon) – The Quilpituk Creek wildfire has ballooned to 550 hectares overnight.

Growth to the northwest Sunday evening and overnight continued to be driven by the slope above Westside Road. Despite the significant growth, the BC Wildfire Service says the incident is exhibiting rank 2 fire behaviour.

Photo Credit: Rob Beatty

Today, crews are continuing efforts to establish hose lay for water delivery to the fire's edge, as well as conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.

"Crews are working around the north and east flanks and are being supported by helicopters," the latest BCWS update explains. "Heavy equipment has been established across the west flank of the fire to support crews with building guard and increasing access."

For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts for this wildfire, click this link.

(Original story: Aug. 2 @ 4 pm) – While a lot of focus has understandably been on the Bradley Creek wildfire to the north, the Quilpituk Creek wildfire is creating issues of its own.

The blaze sparked Saturday south of La Casa and has shown steady growth in strong winds over the past 24 hours.

Photo Credit: Tessa DavidsonCampers in the Fintry area, like Tessa Davidson, were surprised by the new wildfire Saturday evening.

While the BC Wildfire Service's latest update pegs it at 80 hectares, that doesn't reflect Sunday afternoon growth to the north that has resulted in expanded evacuation orders.

Evacuation orders are in place for several communities along Westside Road, including La Casa, Fintry, Killiney Beach, Valley of the Sun and Ewings Landing.

You can view the most up to date evacuation orders and alerts on the Central Okanagan Emergency Management website.

Residents and campers are being told to evacuated south along Westside Road, because the route is closed to the north due to the Bradley Creek wildfire.

Evacuees are being told to head to Westbank Lions Community Centre at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Quilpituk Creek wildfire has been displaying rank 3 and 4 fire behaviour and growth is being driven by slope.