People living just outside the City of Kelowna were forced to flee their homes Friday afternoon as firefighters battled a fast-spreading grass fire.
The blaze was discovered around 2:30 p.m. north of Highway 33, and within hours had triggered an evacuation order for all properties on Goudie Road, Jack Pine Road, Prather Road, Trapper Road and Boone Road – approximately 141 properties in all.
People living on about 158 more properties on the south side of the highway were also put on evacuation alert, requiring them to be ready to leave home on a moment’s notice.
Related: See a map of the areas under evacuation orders and alerts
The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch said by around 5 p.m., the blaze had already spread to 80 hectares in size and was burning completely uncontained, despite fire crews’ best efforts.
Twenty-seven firefighters from the province and the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments were dispatched to battle the flames, with help from two helicopters and eight air tankers.
Mounties warned motorists that a stretch of Highway 33 was closed to accommodate crews, and urged people to find an alternate route pending further notice.
Officials have set up an emergency support services reception centre at Willow Park Church in Kelowna for evacuated residents, and the Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team has arranged for people’s horses to be taken to the Kelowna Riding Club.
Anyone dropping off horses is asked to bring blankets and hay, but bedding is available.
The cause of the grass fire hasn’t been determined.
For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts, visit the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website.
