Firefighters Say No Structures Lost in Joe Rich Fire

Update 8 p.m.: The Evacuation Order for the Joe Rich Fire has been partially rescinded. Details here.

Original Story:

Fire crews are still hard at work at the Huckleberry Fire in Kelowna’s Joe Rich area, and officials say that it is now 50 per cent contained.

Though there hasn’t been significant growth of the fire near Highway 33, they have had some increase in activity within part of the fire. Incident Commander Dale Bojahra says that the fire is about 50 per cent contained, while the remaining 50 per cent has patrol lines around much of it. However, he said that some sections have a lot of activity and possible edges exposed.

Incident Commander Dale Bojahra with BC Wildfire Services talking about the recent fire activity. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

“Last night they managed to get some really good guarding on the west side of the fire,” said Bojahra. “Of course we’ve got the south side of the fire flanked by the highway, which is very helpful. A lot of the focus right now is on the north side below Huckleberry and the east side of the fire where we’re seeing most of our activity today.”

BC Wildfire Services has 40 personnel on the hillside as well as two helicopters and air tankers from a skimmer group out of Penticton. Earlier in the day, retardant was being used and at around 1 p.m., crews had switched into cooling water action.

Air tankers working on the Joe Rich Fire on Friday. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Crews are also facing warm temperatures and winds up to 20 to 25 km/h, but Bojahra said that firefighters are holding their own with aircraft support.

So far no structures have been lost in the blaze. Assistant Chief for Joe Rich Fire and Rescue Ben Wasyliuk said that crews are working right in amongst six to eight properties on Huckleberry to make sure that the fire doesn’t advance against them. “The lay of the land there does actually work in our favour,” said Wasyliuk. “We’ve got a good rock slope that does provide some protection. But we have had fires in that area within about 200 metres of homes, and we’re making sure that any advance there is hit by our crews.”

Assistant Fire Chief Ben Wasyliuk for Joe Rich Fire and Rescue talking about crews working to keep homes safe. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

In addition, there are a few properties along Highway 33 that are being actioned by crews, as there have been active spot fires within 50 metres of the homes. Fire crews are working hard on that area to ensure that there’s no fire advancement there either.

No injuries have been reported, neither for residents, emergency personnel, or pets in the area. BC Ambulance Services has been giving support, and officials are making sure that emergency crews are rotated out, hydrated, and not pushing themselves too hard in the heat.

View of the flames hitting the grass in Joe Rich just before 3 p.m. on Friday. (Photo Credit: Contributed/Briar Bayes)

Wasyliuk said that the help of other crews made all the difference in the blaze, since the wind was already moving the flames quickly into the trees when they arrived. “As mentioned, this is still an active fire, but we’re in a much better position than we were yesterday at the start of the fire.”

Two fire cause investigators are on site and have narrowed down the rough location of where the fire was sparked. There’s no official word on the cause, but Bojahra said, “It’s pretty safe to assume human-caused.”

Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) Chair Gail Given thanked residents who are impacted for their patience and understanding during a trying time. All existing Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in effect, with about 142 properties under Evacuation Order and about 158 under Evacuation Alert. Officials ask that only local traffic go into areas under Evacuation Alert to ensure safe access to residents. As of Saturday afternoon, Highway 33 has been reopened to single-lane alternating traffic.

Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com

Information Officer with RDCO Bruce Smith said that they can’t predict any changes in Evacuation Orders and Alerts, as they could change at any time. Those on Evacuation Alert must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Smith also encouraged everyone in the Central Okanagan to be prepared as well. “Prepare now because you don’t know when the knock is going to come at your door,” said Smith. For information on preparedness for these kinds of disasters, check out the CORD Emergency website.

Areas for Evacuation Orders and Alerts in Joe Rich. (Photo Credit: CORD Emergency)

“I want to assure you that everything that can be done is being done to get you back safely into your homes as quickly as possible,” said RDCO Chair Given. “Because this is still an active fire, we will not be sending anyone home until it is absolutely safe to do so.”