WATCH: Fire officials were able to reduce the size of the Joe Rich fire on Saturday. Ted Chernecki reports.
UPDATE (Monday, 4 p.m.) — The remaining Evacuation Alert for the Joe Rich fire has now been rescinded. None of the 28 properties in the Highway 33 and Huckleberry Road area remain under the alert.
UPDATE (Sunday, 11 p.m.)– The evacuation order was completely eliminated late on Sunday evening, as the final 28 properties were lifted from the order.
They still remain on evacuation alert, but the other 272 homes had their evacuation alert lifted.
UPDATE (Sunday, 8 a.m.)– Officials say the 55-hectare fire is now 100 per cent contained.
The evacuation order was partially lifted for 114 properties in the Huckleberry grass fire near Kelowna. However, the following 28 properties remain on evacuation order:
- 6090 Highway 33
- 1848 Huckleberry Road
- 6130 Highway 33
- 1876 Huckleberry Road
- 6210 Highway 33
- 1898 Huckleberry Road
- 6380 Highway 33
- 1935 Huckleberry Road
- 6440 Highway 33
- 1940 Huckleberry Road
- 6446 Highway 33
- 1947 Huckleberry Road
- 6450 Highway 33
- 1955 Huckleberry Road
- 6460 Highway 33
- 1957 Huckleberry Road
- 1733 Huckleberry Road
- 1959 Huckleberry Road
- 1735 Huckleberry Road
- 1960 Huckleberry Road
- 1736 Huckleberry Road
- 1961 Huckleberry Road
- 1737 Huckleberry Road
- 1967 Huckleberry Road
- 1842 Huckleberry Road
- 1969 Huckleberry Road
- 1843 Huckleberry Road
- 1973 Huckleberry Road
Twenty firefighters patrolled the fire zone overnight and they say “no problems were reported.”
Highway 33 is open to single-lane alternating traffic with reduced speed through the fire zone.
WATCH: Evacuees of the fire near Kelowna worry what will happen to their possessions and pets. Neetu Garcha reports.
UPDATE (Friday, 7 p.m.)–The CORD evacuation order has been extended to include all properties on Goudie Road, Jack Pine Road, Prather Road and Boone Road in response to the Huckleberry grass fire east of Kelowna.
The 80-hectare fire started this afternoon, and spread quickly in the area east of Joe rich.
An Evacuation Order is also in effect for all properties between the intersection of Goudie and Highway and 7650 Highway 33 east.
An Evacuation Alert is now in place for residents living on the south side of Highway 33 east from Goudie Road to 8991 Highway 33 east. These people should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice.
In total, approximately 142 properties are on evacuation order, while approximately 158 properties are on evacuation alert.
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Retardant has been deployed on over 70 per cent of the fire, but it is still burning aggressively. Kayla Pepper of the Kamloops fire centre says it has rank 3 behaviour at the head of the fire, and rank 1-2 at the base.
UPDATE–The Central Okanagan Regional District has extended its evacuation order in response to the Joe Rich grass fire.
Residents along Prather Road are now under evacuation.
This is in addition to the evacuation of Huckleberry Road between Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road and homes along Jack Pine Road.
The evacuation centre is Willow Park Church in Rutland.
Provincial fire information officers now say the fire is 80 hectares.
Eight air tankers and two helicopters are actioning the fire.
The BC Wildlife Branch has sent 26 firefighters to assist local fire departments.
Highway 33 is closed in the area of the fire.
Once again the Asher Road Animal Hospital is offering to take in animals from anyone who may be evacuated from their homes.
The animal hospital is located at 156 Asher Road.
The phone number is 778-753-3507
UPDATE–An evacuation order is being prepared and a tactical evacuation is underway of residences along Huckleberry Road between the intersections of Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road as well as residences along Jack Pine Road in the Joe Rich area.
Residents on Goudie Road and Sun Valley road are on evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on a moments notice.
Once again the Asher Road Animal Hospital is offering to take in animals from anyone who may be evacuated from their homes.
The animal hospital is located at 156 Asher Road.
The phone number is 778-753-3507
UPDATE–RCMP have now closed Highway 33 in the 5900 block because of the Joe Rich fire, which is now 3 hectares.
The Wildfire Management Branch has sent 26 firefighters to assist local fire departments.
All available manpower was requested from the Joe Rich fire department, as well as mutual aid from neighboring fire departments.
Air tankers are now laying down water and retardant.
The Asher Road Animal Hospital is offering to take in animals from anyone who may be evacuated from their homes.
The animal hospital is located at 156 Asher Road.
The phone number is 778-753-3507.
NEAR KELOWNA — Crews are battling a large grass fire near Kelowna on Highway 33 about a kilometer east of Heartland Ranch.
The Kelowna Fire Department has requested assistance from the B.C. Forest Service as well as air tankers.
There are homes in the area and it appears some residents may be issued evacuation notices.
The fire is reported to be more than a hectare in size.
RCMP are asking motorists to avoid the area along Highway 33 in the 5900 block and find an alternate route.
Smoke can be seen from downtown Kelowna.
More to come…
– With files from Kimberly Davidson
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