Canadian Ski Resort Threatened by Wildfire
2nd August 2022
Last modified on August 7th, 2022
Apex Mountain Resort is evacuated and its snow guns are turned on as the Keremeos Creek Fire spreads. We have an updated video from the resort as the fire grows. UPDATED
Updated, Sunday 7th August:
The resort’s village is under an evacuation order and fire crews have arrived from across the region to help.
Apex Mountain general manager, James Shalman, says crews have now deployed FireSmart tactics at every single property at the resort.
He says the sprinkler system now set up at the village is the most extensive ever put in place by the BC Wildfire Service.
Snowmaking machines have also been activated to raise the humidity of the entire area.
In a Facebook post, Apex Volunteer Fire Department chief Kelly Johnston thanked “the folks who have put their lives on hold and are working tirelessly to protect our special place.”
“I am so grateful to the residents of Apex, who are entrusting the homes and places they value so much with AVFR and our partners.
“I am also deeply moved and thankful for the outpouring of support that residents have provided us.
“It is still early in this incident, but your encouragement and support is keeping the crew going.”
The ski resort is south of Kelowna in British Columbia.
The fire has been burning since July 29th and is the largest active wildfire in British Columbia.
An evacuation order has been issued for the resort.
There are around 200 homes in the area and 400 people are reported to be affected.
EVACUATION ORDER FOR ELECTORAL AREA “I”: KEREMEOS CREEK FIRE ATTENTION: APEX MOUNTAIN RESORT AREA
An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to protect the health, safety or welfare of a person or to limit damage to property due to wildfire.
Members of the RCMP and SAR will be expediting this action.
**Evacuation order means you must leave the area immediately** Register as an evacuee at the designated reception centre (Princess Margaret Secondary, 120 Green Ave in PENTICTON) or online at ess.gov.bc.ca
If you need transportation assistance from the evacuation area or identify as having extraordinary needs, please call the RDOS EOC at 250-490-4225
Pet owners with concerns for their animals can make arrangements with ALERT by calling 250-809-7152
#KeremeosCreekWildfire from Highway 3A just before noon. Helicopters working hard. Very steep terrain and hot winds. pic.twitter.com/6xCAfyjJu3
— Johanna Wagstaffe (@JWagstaffe) August 1, 2022
The snow guns have been primed and are being used to dampen the area and keep the fire at bay.
On Monday night the BC Wildfire Service estimated the fire at 2,790 hectares in size.
On Sunday it was 437 hectares.
Last summer Heavenly, Kirkwood and other resorts in the Lake Tahoe area of California were threatened by wildfires, but they escaped unscathed.
Here at PlanetSKI we will be updating this article as we received more news.
Forest fire. Image © PlanetSKI
