Highway 33 remains closed

Photo: Big White

Wednesday's structure fire at Big White's Monashee Inn.

A decision is expected to be made today on the continued closure of Highway 33 due to the Philpott wildfire east of Kelowna.

The closure extends from Big White Road to Gallagher Road.

Up at Big White Resort, vice-president Michael J. Ballingall said the mountain will be open today, and it's "business as usual."

The resort is recovering from a fire of its own this week.

On Wednesday, a fire sparked in the roof of the Monashee Inn, which was undergoing renovations.

The resort remains accessible via Osoyoos and Rock Creek as well as by McCulloch Road.

"People can go around," said Ballingall, "but Highway 33 is certainly the most efficient way up."

DriveBC expects to update the status of the highway later today.

Meanwhile, Ballingall said insurance adjusters are up at the mountain assessing the damage from Wednesday's fire.