Wildfire evacuation orders for some downgraded; Peachland mayor grateful for crews’ response
Posted July 31, 2025 11:45 am.
Last Updated July 31, 2025 7:23 pm.
After a night of aggressive firefighting, there are some positive updates coming from Peachland Thursday.
Mayor Patrik van Minsel says overnight efforts by BC Wildfire Service and Peachland Fire and Rescue have them closing in on getting the Drought Hill fire under control.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“They’re fighting the fire from three sides,” he told 1130 NewsRadio. “They’re trying to get it under control. There was no flare-up at night, and the winds died down, so it helped. It was cooler during the night, and they’re now assessing the situation.”
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Drought Hill fire is now assessed at being 57 hectares, from 27 hectares late Wednesday night.
Van Minsel says the quick response by the district and the BC Wildfire Service has so far staved off any extensive damage. He adds that crews from Kelowna and West Kelowna fire departments also responded quickly.
“I’m so proud of our firefighters, and everybody who was helping out there, because they’re doing a great job,” he said.
About 400 residences remain under an evacuation order Thursday, as tactical evacuations began shortly after the wildfire was sparked, allegedly after a pickup truck caught on fire, Wednesday afternoon. Properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C, and north of Highway 97 are covered under the order.
Peachland residents are used to having to pack up and leave at short notice, the mayor says. “We live in the Okanagan. We know this can happen.”
“Everybody was very disciplined, and everybody was following the instructions. Pretty much everyone was calm. The people that were in our emergency centre yesterday, here at our community centre, they seemed very calm, just waiting for some updates,” van Minsel said.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan and its Emergency Operations says that as of Thursday afternoon, 35 wildfire fighters are responding to the blaze, along with 14 firefighters from Peachland, Kelowna and North Westside fire departments.
“Aircraft retardant and water delivery yesterday was effective in reducing fire behaviour. However, as temperatures increase throughout the day, fire behaviour may increase,” RDCO said in a statement. “The fire is currently displaying rank two fire behaviour, meaning a surface fire with some open flame and a slow to moderate rate of spread.”
The regional district is urging people to stay away from the area to ensure there’s no interference with wildfire personnel and their response. “Aircraft will use Okanagan Lake as a water source and watercrafts should stay out of the way.”
“Today’s priorities underway include wildfire suppression, field assessments, ongoing resource allocation and evaluation of the evacuation orders and alert,” the RDCO said.
In an update Thursday afternoon, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations downgraded the majority of properties on the evacuation order list to an evacuation alert list.
Only residents at the following addresses remain on evacuation order:
- 5140 and 5151 Clarence Road,
- 5031 Lang Court,
- MacNeil Court,
- Morrison Crescent,
- Morrison Court,
- Morrison Place,
- All units within the property at 5165 Trepanier Bench Road,
- Walker Road.
Peachland resident Rene Doiron says one of the last things he and his family did before Mounties told them to leave was to try to protect their home.
“Watering bushes and the roof and the deck,” Doiron said.
“There were toonie-sized embers falling on our deck and patio, so we were hosing those off.”
Despite the situation, he says he is maintaining a positive attitude.
“It’s our home, but at the end of the day, it is a material thing,” he said.
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With files from Ben Bouguerra and Monika Gul.
