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October 27, 2017 3:49 pm

No Change in Kelowna Area fire

Friday, August 25, 2017 @ 10:06 AM

Kelowna, B.C.- There were no unexpected challenges overnight for firefighters on the Philpott Road wildfire  east of Kelowna and near the community of Joe Rich.. Cool overnight conditions and minimal wind kept the fire from progressing. Thick smoke in the area is due to the lack of air movement overnight.

Crews from Joe Rich, Ellison, Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country along with ten other fire departments throughout the interior and the BC Wildfire Service monitored the 380-hectare blaze.

An Evacuation Order remains in place affecting about 1,100 people in a large section of Joe Rich, just east of Kelowna in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area. The status of the Evacuation Order will be reviewed this morning to determine if any change can be made.

The Emergency Support Services reception centre set up at the Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 West in Kelowna opened  at 10 this morning to help any people affected by the Evacuation Order.

Even though this is an active wildfire, there are still no reports of any structures being impacted.

A decision on the possible opening Highway 33 is expected later this morning.  For now, it remains closed from the Gallaghers Road intersection on the City of Kelowna to Big White Road. A detour route is available for non-commercial passenger vehicles for those who must travel via McCulloch Road.

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