It’s a “wait and see” of the most nerve-wracking kind.

At 6 p.m. Monday, with thick smoke making its way over the crest of the mountain behind them, 160 residences and businesses in the Notch Hill area were issued an immediate evacuation order.

Between 6 and 10 p.m., police and Shuswap Search and Rescue volunteers went to every home included in the order, giving residents the bad news they had been hoping they wouldn’t hear.

It was time to leave. The volunteers then hung a pink survey ribbon in front of each home to indicate the order had been served.

The evacuation order included: Frederickson Road, Notch Hill Estates (London Lane, Wildflower Lane, Greenwood Drive, Goldenrod Drive, Huckleberry Drive, Country Woods Road, Taylor Road and Hannett Road), Davies Road, Hammond Road and Blackman Road to the intersection of Notch Hill and Tappen-Notch Hill Road.

Const. John Fleming raved about the 15 Search and Rescue volunteers helping out. “Thank God for Search and Rescue. They’re a huge assistance.”

A few residents opted to stay behind, but most complied.

An evacuation alert had been issued Sunday, giving residents notice that they might have to evacuate on short notice. Monday’s order directed residents to leave immediately and register at Carlin Community Hall.

Don Hilton and Bob Young, 85 and 84 respectively, have lived in Notch Hill for 35 years. Hilton built their home in 1976. It’s that home, and all the outbuildings and gardens he’s created over the years, that they were forced to leave.

“It is upsetting,” said Young, “for older people... You get into a rut. It wasn’t bad, but it’s something you wouldn’t want to do every day.”

Hilton said they took their medication with them, but he left behind some clothes he had meant to take.

“I probably walked out and left them in the house.”

Young explained that they didn’t bring any keepsakes. “I guess we didn’t work on it fast enough. They gave you the time after the first (evacuation alert) letter, but you treat it as, okay, whatever.”

They and their beloved dog Nicki are now staying at Hilton’s brother’s home in Salmon Arm. They hope to return home soon.

“In a couple of days probably. We’re praying that, because our dog doesn’t like to be out,” says Hilton.

Looking shaken when volunteers arrived Monday evening, Pam Donaldson and her husband Jim had suitcases and plastic bins of belongings already lined up on their porch, ready to go. Leaving their home, their beautifully maintained garden and yard, not knowing if or when they would see them again, was clearly distressing.

Ed Spiteri moved to Notch Hill Estates from Calgary a year ago. As volunteers approached him with the evacuation order, he said he had been packed for two days – but remains optimistic.

“I don’t think it’ll get this far,” he said of the fire.

Joe Huszti has lived in the old Notch Hill store building for the past 20 years, which he has renovated as his residence, doing his best to maintain its heritage value.

Estimates are that it will be 100 years old next year.

He has been watching the fire closely since Friday.

“What we’re worried about is ash hitting the grass and coming across,” he said Monday evening. “We’re just hoping the fire won’t take away our heritage.”

Along with the volunteers staffing the registration centre at Carlin Hall, SPCA volunteers Joanne Sogh and Janet Pattinson were set up outside with a good supply of kennels. At 10 p.m., they’d been there since 5:30 and were “prepared to stay all night.” They said most people had already made arrangements for their animals.

Kathy Gilbert, information officer for the Shuswap Emergency Program, said Tuesday that operations at Carlin Hall were shut down about 1 a.m.

Sixty-six families or 197 people had registered by that time.

She said all roads leading into the evacuated area are now blocked.

As of noon Tuesday, she said no other evacuation orders were anticipated – but, she noted, the wind could change that.