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.

含羞草研究社淩est easy,含羞草研究社� OKIB firefighter Mike Doherty said. 含羞草研究社淲e got your back.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淲e 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,含羞草研究社� Doherty said.

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

含羞草研究社淭hey said it looks like the way this fire is travelling it is going to reach a valley which will be directly behind Sugarloaf Mountain,含羞草研究社� said Cseh, who is on evacuation alert. 含羞草研究社淚 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.含羞草研究社�

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.

含羞草研究社淓fforts 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,含羞草研究社� the Wildfire Service said. 含羞草研究社淚f you are in an evacuation order area you must leave immediately.含羞草研究社�

The OKIB echoes the sentiments and reminds those who refuse to leave aren含羞草研究社檛 eligible for protection.

含羞草研究社淭he structural protection crews will not protect occupied properties. In addition, aerial tankers cannot drop water or retardant on occupied homes,含羞草研究社� OKIB said. 含羞草研究社淔or the benefit of yourself and all members, it is important that you evacuate now.含羞草研究社�

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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