A fire that broke out in West Kelowna on Tuesday afternoon, spawning a sudden tactical evacuation order, grew to three hectares in size, say local officials.
On Tuesday evening, Central Okanagan Emergency Services (CORE) issued an update on the fire near Bear Creek Road.
According to CORE, all tactical evacuation orders have been lifted for properties in Sail View Bay and along Bear Creek Road, north of Parkinson Road in West Kelowna.
“Municipal and BC Wildfire Service crews will continue efforts to mop up the fire that began burning Tuesday afternoon in an area east of Rose Valley Reservoir,” said CORE.
“For public safety reasons, residents and visitors must remain at a safe distance from the fire and all emergency response activities, which will remain ongoing in the area into Tuesday evening.”
At the time of the update, Westside Road was open to single-lane, alternating traffic. Motorists were asked to obey road crews and maintain safe speeds through the area.
CORE was also asking motorists not to stop along Westside Road to either observe or take photos of the wildfire.
More to come.
The fire chief for West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR), Jason Brolund, told Global News that the fire started when a tree fell onto a power line, causing sparks.
In addition to WKFR, crews from Wilson’s Landing and BC Wildfire battled the blaze.
Tactical evacuations were ordered in areas surrounding the fire before being lifted later in the day.
The fire could be seen from this Global Okanagan camera.
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