New updates on this story can found here.
(UPDATE: August 25th @ 7:30 a.m.)
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations is reporting that cool conditions and minimal wind kept the Philpott Road wildfire from progressing overnight. Crews from Joe Rich, Ellison, Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country along with ten other fire departments throughout the Interior and the BC Wildfire Service monitored the 380-hectare blaze throughout the night.
The status of the Evacuation Order affecting about 1,100 people in a large section of Joe Rich will be reviewed this morning to determine if any change can be made.
A decision on the possible opening Highway 33 is expected later this morning. For now, it remains closed.
Even though this is an active wildfire, there are still no reports of any structures being impacted.
(Original Story)
No change is expected overnight for the Philpott Road wildfire Evacuation Order. An estimated 1,100 people are out of their homes in a large section of Joe Rich, just east of Kelowna in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area. The status of the Evacuation Order will be reviewed tomorrow morning. Residents can see which properties are still under Evacuation Order at www.cordemergency.ca.
At this point, there is no report of any structures being impacted by the wildfire, estimated by the BC Wildfire Service as 380-hectares in size. As this is still an active fire, a more detailed assessment of damage will be made in the days ahead.
Overnight structural firefighters from five Central Okanagan departments and ten other fire departments across the Okanagan and interior will monitor the fire and put out any hotspots. They’re being supported on the ground by BC Wildfire Service firefighters.
FortisBC reports that they have restored power to the majority of customers in the Joe Rich area. Approximately 60 customers remain without power.
Service alert has been updated:
We have now restored power to approx. 2,000 customers in Joe Rich area #Kelowna & continue to monitor https://t.co/cLH551znRL #BCWildfires
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) August 25, 2017
(Scroll down for photos and visit our photo story)
(Update 8:00 p.m. August 24,2017))
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations is reporting that Highway 33 will remain closed throughout the night as crews continue to battle the out of control wildfire.
The highway will remain closed from Gallaghers Road to Big White Road, but those needing to bypass the blaze can use McCulloch Road, a gravel road that runs south of Highway 33.
The wildfire in Joe Rich continued to grow throughout the evening and is now estimated at 380 hectares in size.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre, at Willow Park Church, is now open to assist the estimated 1,100 people on evacuation order.
An Evacuation Order has now been issued for the entire area of Joe Rich, from Walker Hill on the Highway 33 western boundary of the City of Kelowna to Big White Road to the east and Mission Creek and Joe Rich Creek along the south.
This affects approximately 474 properties and an estimated 1,100 people.
Evacuation orders have been issued for properties on several roads north of Highway 33, including:
Fortis BC has interrupted power service to approximately 2,500 customers in the evacuated area with no time table for when it will be restored.
(Scroll down for photos)
(Original Story)
At about 1:30 p.m., firefighters were called to the blaze along Highway 33 at Philpott Road.
Properties east of Greystokes Road must evacuate via McCulloch Road. A detailed map will be available showing affected properties at www.cordemergency.ca.
All properties west of Cardinal Creek Road are on evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change.
An Emergency Support Services reception centre is being established at Willow Park church on Highway 33 in Kelowna. It will be open to help residents starting at 5:00 pm.
Melanie Morin with B.C. wildfire says the fire is currently roughly 40 hectares in size and burning out of control. She says there are buildings in the vicinity, but none are immediately threatened at this time.
Along with firefighters from the Joe Rich Fire Department and the Kelowna Fire Department, B.C. Wildfire has an initial attack team with six firefighters on the scene and one helicopter is bucketing the blaze. Morin says air tankers, more fire crews and three additional helicopters are on their way.
An evacuation is underway for properties from Cardinal Creek Road to the eastern boundary of the Regional District, according to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre, which has been activated.
#BCHwy33 CLOSED at Black Mountain due to fire. More details as we receive them. #Kelowna
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) August 24, 2017
An initial attack crew on scene along with helicopters and airtankers. There are structures in the vicinity, but they are not threatened at this time.
A KelownaNow reader sent this video that shows the early stages of the fire.
(Caution video may contain explicit language)
The volcano like smoke plume is visible from all over the region.
YLW:
Lake Country:
Peachland:
(Original Story)
BC Wildfire Services has confirmed that they are responding with ground and air crews to a wildfire along Highway 33.
The blaze is reportedly at the Highway 33 and Philpott Road intersection.
Sad to see this just east of Kelowna #ylw #bcfire pic.twitter.com/PBB7Ewiywf
— Chutski (@whiskyczar) August 24, 2017
Huge smoke above possibly Black Mountain area in Kelowna. @KelownaNow @CastanetNews @KGordonGlobalBC pic.twitter.com/NxeYKAcF9Z
— Denise (@SUPokanagan) August 24, 2017
KelownaNow will update the story as more information becomes available.
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