Emergency officials said they were conducting “tactical evacuations” of about 400 properties north of Peachland due to an out-of-control wildfire on Wednesday evening.
The fire, burning between Peachland and West Kelowna at Drought Hill, is currently estimated at 27 hectares in size, and has also forced significant closures to Highway 97 and Highway 97-C.
The Central Okanagan Regional District has activated its emergency operations centre, and says municipal and BC Wildfire Service firefighters are responding.
The evacuations affect properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C and north of Highway 97. An emergency reception centre has been established at Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street.
An additional evacuation alert has been issued for 225 addresses in Peachland.
The fire prompted both Highway 97 and Highway 97C to be closed for a time Wednesday evening.
DriveBC says Highway 97C has re-opened in both directions between Highway 5A and Highway 97, while Highway 97 has re-eopened to single-lane alternating traffic near the Highway 97C junction.
While both highways are open to traffic, DriveBC is warning drivers to watch for crews and prepare for sudden changes as wildfire activity continues in the area.
The Kelowna RCMP is warning people to stay out of the area on the ground and in Okanagan Lake.
Boaters are also being told to stay well away, as firefighting aircraft will need to dip in to pick up water.
Officials believe the fire was sparked by a truck carrying a piece of equipment.