Update: The Joe Rich Fire continued to be contained overnight thanks to calm conditions.
Original Story:
The Evacuation Order for the Huckleberry Fire by Kelowna has now been partially lifted.
Effective 8 p.m. Saturday, July 4th, residents in 114 properties can return to their homes. However, the remaining 28 properties still have the Evacuation Order in effect.
Residents fleeing the Joe Rich area because of the wildfire. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
The properties still under Evacuation Order are:
Those homes where the Evacuation Order has been lifted are now on Evacuation Alert, as are the previous properties under Evacuation Alert. Residents of these homes should be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice, should conditions change and the Evacuation Order need to be reinstated or expanded.
Areas in red are under Evacuation Order, while areas in gold are under Evacuation Alert. (Photo Credit: CORD Emergency)
BC Wildfire Service says that the Huckleberry Fire is now 100 per cent contained. Active hotspots continue, however, and there should be heavy smoke in the area for several days. On Saturday afternoon, officials mapped the blaze and determined it to be 55 hectares.
Residents returning to their homes might encounter various hazards on private properties as a result of the fire. Officials also ask that the public stay out of fire-affected areas for their own safety and to obey all warning and hazards signs.
The area of the Evacuation Order is still closed to everyone.
Active fire suppression efforts are continuing, so residents need to stay out of the way of emergency vehicles and crews. Ten structural firefighters from several Central Okanagan fire departments as well as 20 personnel from the BC Wildfire Service will be working throughout the night.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com
The Emergency Reception Centre will close Saturday night at 10 p.m. and reopen Sunday at 8:30 a.m. RCMP are staffing roadblocks and conducting security patrols overnight in the Evacuation Area. Highway 33 will remain open to single-lane alternating traffic.
Earlier on Saturday, firefighters reported that no structures had been lost in the fire, despite crews working nearby homes on Huckleberry Road and Highway 33.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
