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Kelowna  

About 140 evacuated

UPDATE 8:30 P.M.

CORD Emergency is not anticipating a change to the existing evacuation orders or alerts for the Joe Rich grass fire.  While weather conditions can change and may affect this, it’s expected the orders and alerts will be in effect overnight.

Residents living on the approximately 158 properties that are on evacuation alert should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice in the event that fire conditions and behaviour changes requiring an expanded evacuation order.


UPDATE 7:30 P.M.

All Evacuation Orders and Alerts for the Joe Rich Grassfire remain in effect.  No changes have been made to the earlier status on the fire.

It’s estimated that approximately 141 properties are affected by the Evacuation Order and another 158 are under Evacuation Alert.  Residents on Alert should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should fire conditions change requiring an expansion of the Evacuation Order area.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says Highway 33 is now closed to all traffic from Gallaghers Road in Kelowna to the intersection at Rock Creek.  For the latest highway information please visit the Drive BC website www.drivebc.ca. 

An Emergency Support Services Reception Centre is now open to help residents who have been evacuated.  It is located at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 east in Kelowna.  No donations of accommodation or food or clothing are required.

The Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team (CDART) has arranged for those affected by the fire to take horses to the Kelowna Riding Club, 3745 Gordon Drive in Kelowna.  Please bring blankets and hay.  Bedding is available.  These affected residents will also have to register at the ESS Reception Centre.                    

Fire fighters are responding from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments and are being assisted with ground fire fighters from the BC Wildfire Service which is providing air assistance with helicopters and air tankers.

The Emergency Operation Centre has been activated to support crews in the field responding to this incident.

New information will be released to the public through the media and cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.

Click here for our photo gallery.

Click here for the latest information on the fire.


 

UPDATE 5:40 P.M.

 

An Evacuation Order has been extended to include all properties on Goudie Road, Jack Pine Road, Prather Road, Trapper Road and Boone Road in response to the Joe Rich Grass Fire.  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.

An Emergency Support Services Reception Centre is now open to help residents who have been evacuated.  It is located at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 east in Kelowna.

The Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team (CDART) has arranged for those affected by the fire to take horses to the Kelowna Riding Club, 3745 Gordon Drive in Kelowna.  Please bring blankets and hay.  Bedding is available.  These affected residents will also have to register at the ESS Reception Centre.                    

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises that Highway 33 is closed to through traffic between Gallagher Road and Rock Creek.  Exceptions may be made for local people who are on Evacuation Alert.

Fire fighters are responding from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments and are being assisted with a crew from the BC Wildfire Management Service.

People are requested to stay away from the immediate area and RCMP is doing traffic control.

The Emergency Operation Centre has been activated to support crews in the field responding to this incident.


UPDATE 5:30 P.M.

Dr. Oz at Rose Valley Vet Hospital is making space available for people evacuated by the Joe Roch fire who need a place to house a dog or cat.

You can call the the vet hospital at 250-769-9109.


UPDATE 4:56 P.M.

An Evacuation Order has been extended in response to the Joe Rich Grass Fire.

Residents along Prather Road are now under Evacuation.

This is in addition to the evacuation earlier this afternoon on Huckleberry Road between Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road and homes along Jack Pine Road.

An Evacuation Alert is in place for residents living on Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road and they should be prepared to leave on short notice.

An Emergency Support Services Reception Centre is being set up and will open to help residents who have been evacuated.  It will open at 5:30pm in Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 east in Kelowna.

Trained and experienced fire fighters are responding from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments and are being assisted with a crew from the BC Wildfire Management Service.

People are requested to stay away from the immediate area and RCMP is doing traffic control.

The Emergency Operation Centre has been activated to support crews in the field responding to this incident.

New information will be released to the public through the media and cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.

Click here for more fire information.


UPDATE 4:30 P.M.

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.  This is due to the grass and interface fire reported at 2:38 this afternoon above Highway 33.

Residents on Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road are on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on a moments notice with important items and personal materials.  

Trained and experienced fire fighters are responding from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments and are being assisted with a crew from the BC Wildfire Management Branch.

People are requested to stay away from the immediate area and RCMP is doing traffic control.

The Emergency Operation Centre has been activated to support crews in the field  responding to this incident.

New information will be released to the public through the media and cordemergency.ca as soon as it becomes available.

View a gallery of reader-submitted photos here



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