UPDATE – The BC Wildfire Service reports it’s making progress on the Philpott Road forest fire burning near Joe Rich east of Kelowna.
But spokesperson Justine Hunse said Friday afternoon it remains out of control at an estimated 400 hectares.
However, ground and air crews are making headway in the challenging, steep terrain.
The blaze has subsided to mostly a smoky ground fire without significant flames.
Hunse says the thickness of the smoke is preventing fixed-wing aircraft from working the blaze but helicopters are active.
No homes or other buildings have been damaged.
Emergency Management BC says 264 evacuated people have registered at an evacuation centre in Kelowna.
-With files from The Canadian Press-
Cool overnight conditions and minimal wind kept a 380-hectare fire that flared up in the Joe Rich area near Kelowna from progressing.
An evacuation order issued Thursday is still in place impacting about 1,100 people in the Joe Rich area. The status of the evacuation order will be reviewed late Friday afternoon.
The order covers the whole area of Joe Rich, from Walker Hill on the Highway 33 western boundary of the City of Kelowna, to Mission Creek and Joe Rich Creek along the south, said a news release from the Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD).
The order affects an estimated 474 properties, the regional district added. Even though the fire is deemed active, there are no reports of any structures being impacted.
WATCH: Amateur video captures wildfire burning near Kelowna
Highway 33 was closed overnight between Gallaghers Road in Kelowna and Big White Road. A decision on the possible opening of the highway is expected later Friday morning.
A detour is available for non-commercial passenger vehicles only, via McCulloch Road.
The fire was reported on Thursday at about 1:30 p.m.; the BC Wildfire Service is tackling the blaze alongside fire crews from the Kelowna, Lake Country, Ellison and Joe Rich departments.
There’s an Emergency Support Services reception centre that’s been set up at Willow Park Church at 439 Highway 33 West in Kelowna.
Watch Below: It’s still out of control, but crews are making progress building fire guards on the Philpott Road wildfire in Joe Rich. The blaze, which forced 1,100 people from their homes, has scorched 400 hectares. However, its intensity is subsiding, especially compared to the explosive growth that occurred Thursday. Megan Turcato reports.
READ MORE: B.C. wildfires map 2017: Current location of wildfires around the province
The Kelowna RCMP are carrying out tactical evacuations in the Joe Rich region, specifically in the following areas:
- Goudie Road
- Huckleberry Road
- Daves Road
- Goshawk Road
- Hawk Road
- Falcon Road
- Falconridge Crescent
- Sun Valley Road
- Cardinal Creek Road
- Peregrine Road
- Philpott Forest Service Road
- Three Forks Road
- Thelwell Road
- Greystokes Road
- Dion Road
- Schram Road
Coverage of B.C. wildfires on Globalnews.ca:
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Residents evacuate fast moving Joe Rich wildfire -
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Timelapse shows wildfire as it breaks out near Joe Rich, B.C. -
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Loon Lake wildfire evacuees return home -
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More concern for battle against BC Wildfires as many seasonal firefighters pulling out and heading back to school -
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Wildfire quickly snuffed out by West Kelowna fire crews -
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Spallumcheen wildfire contained -
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Police investigate B.C. wildfires that may have been deliberately set
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
• Avoid the Highway 33 areaso emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
• Monitor cordemergency.ca for confirmed information about the situation
• Please only CALL 9-1-1 in case of emergency
• Monitor cordemergency.caopen_in_new, facebook.com/CORDEmergencyopen_in_new or twitter.com/CO_Emergopen_in_new for confirmed information about the situation
Click here for live shot of Joe Rich wildfire. View from West Kelowna.
Here are more photos of the fire in the Joe Rich area:
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