Kelowna wildfire evacuation order downgraded to alert
Posted July 2, 2023 9:41 am.
Last Updated July 2, 2023 12:06 pm.
Evacuation orders in Kelowna due to the Knox Mountain wildfire have been downgraded to alerts, as fire crews say the blaze is being held.
The City of Kelowna issued the order Saturday afternoon and later downgraded it to an alert.
Read more: Knox Mountain wildfire prompts evacuation orders in Kelowna
An evacuation alert remains in place for residents in Magic Estates, Poplar Point, Clifton, and the South Wilden areas.
Sandra Follick, deputy fire chief with the Kelowna Fire Department, says more than 1,300 properties are impacted by the alert.
“We let people go back home but we are keeping the alert in place until, probably, Tuesday morning. We still are dealing with some active hotspots in the area and we want to make sure that everything is completely out,” she said.
“[We] just want people to be prepared just in case something changes. Currently, the fire is being held, but we’re just being cautious.”
People may notice a lot of smoke and some visible flames coming from the active fire in Knox Mountain Park as crews continue working overnight to fight the blaze. #BCWildfire #Kelowna Visit https://t.co/XBeUYmRmBP for more info.
— Central Ok Emergency (@CO_Emerg) July 2, 2023
In an update Sunday morning, the BC Wildfire Service says the fire is an estimated 6.5 hectares in size.
“We are still remaining on scene 24-hours a day, just checking the area for any flare-ups and keeping a watch on it,” Follick added.
The fire is highly visible in the surrounding area, and burning at a park near the city’s downtown.
The blaze was first discovered Saturday afternoon and quickly doubled in size.
BC Wildfire says the suspected cause that sparked the flames was humans.
With files from Cole Schisler
