140 Homes Evacuated Due to Joe Rich Fire

Update July 4th: Firefighters say that guards and retardant lines that were established held overnight.

Original Story:

Evacuees from the Joe Rich community are certainly feeling stressed as they await news of the wildfire burning in their backyards, but most are simply happy to be safe.

Resident and evacuee Tyler Schlapbach said he could see an orange wall of smoke heading towards his home, when a police officer informed him that he must evacuate immediately. It was just after 3:00 p.m. when Schlapbach and Nikki Kusper left their home, grabbing only their animals and the necessities.

“We always have everything together so that we can grab a basket and go,” said Kusper. “We’re always prepared for wildfires.”

Evacuees heading into the emergency reception centre. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.)

Another couple was house-sitting for their friends, who are currently on vacation in Cyprus, Greece, when an officer came to their door and told them to get out of the house as quickly as possible.

“It was a weird feeling having to wake up our friends at four in the morning in Cyprus and say, ‘hey look, what should we get out of the house?,” said Spencer Pearce. “It’s such a beautiful home up there, and I’m sure most of them are, so it’s just so sad that some homes might be affected by the fire.”

Spencer said their friends in Greece were not exactly surprised that a wildfire was sparked, considering the recent dry conditions that have plagued the Okanagan.

Spencer Pearce outside the evacuation centre with Pablo the dog. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.)

“They just asked us to grab the family photos and of course the dog, and just to make sure that we’re safe,” said Pearce.

As of 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 141 properties in the Joe Rich Community have been evacuated, 158 properties are on alert, and approximately 310 people are expected to head to the evacuation centre located at Willow Park Church in Kelowna.

According to Schlapbach, the fire was working its way up the hillside off of Highway 33 as he and Kusper were leaving their home.

“The wind changed direction and starting heading northeast, so it’s very unpredictable at this point,” added Schlapbach.

Cars start arriving at the Emergency Reception Centre. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.)

Evacuees from the Joe Rich fire are asked to register at the Emergency Reception Centre, located at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 East.

The brush fire off of Highway 33 has closed the highway just south of the junction with Highway 97. The fire is now 80 hectares in size and is rapidly growing.

@KelownaNow filling from BMID reservoir for highway 33 fire suppression. pic.twitter.com/5GyEgFoPRa

— Jeff Clark (@clark_jeff) July 4, 2015