Philpott Road Fire: News Release #15

Philpott Road Fire

Central Okanagan, B.C. –  The Evacuation Order for the Philpott Road Fire has been partially rescinded, allowing approximately 186 Joe Rich residents from 81 properties to return home. These properties are now on Evacuation Alert and residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice if circumstances change.

The following properties are removed from the Evacuation Order and are now on Evacuation Alert:

  • 8520 – 8600 Highway 33 E

  • 11575 – 11583 Highway 33 E

  • 11601 – 12369 Highway 33 E

  • 1809 – 1898 Cardinal Creek Road

  • 2160 – 2270 Dion Road

  • 11607 – 11623 Greystokes Road

  • 11731 – 11749 Greystokes Road

  • 11863 – 11875 Greystokes Road

  • 11979 – 11989 Greystokes Road

  • 8130 – 8514 Sun Valley Road

  • 11505 – 12751 Three Forks Road

Approximately 88 properties, impacting 202 residents, remain on Evacuation Order. To view a detailed map showing properties that are on Order and Alert, please visit www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Evacuated residents returning home should be aware of the potential of hazards on private property as a result of the fire activity. BC Emergency preparedness has information for returning home after a fire. Active fire suppression work continues on the Philpott Road Fire which has not grown in size from yesterday’s estimated 465 hectares and continues to be 20% contained. The public is asked to stay away from emergency vehicles and crews.

Highway 33 is now closed in both directions between Schram Road and Cardinal Creek Road to ensure the safe movement of emergency personnel and equipment. The road will be reopened when it is safe to do so. Motorists are advised to use McCulloch Road as a detour. Visit drivebc.ca for the latest updates.

BC Wildfire Service will have 95 personnel working on the Philpott Road Fire today with 15 pieces of heavy equipment. Additionally, four helicopters will be working to suppress the fire. Also working on the fire today will be 49 structural firefighters, employing 16 pieces of equipment, from Big White, Ellison, Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lumby, Naramata, North Westside, West Kelowna and Wilson’s Landing Fire Departments.

The weather forecast for today calls for increasing wind activity, possibly gusting to 40 km/hr this afternoon which may make fire suppression challenging.

Residents returning home can bring household pets, like cats and dogs, with them.  Other animals are not allowed back in at this time due to the uncertainty about fire behaviour and the potential for reinstating Evacuation Orders if necessary.

The Emergency Support Services reception centre at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 West in Kelowna, will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. today.

FortisBC is advising customers that will receive a bill credit for charges incurred during the period they were under evacuation order for the Philpott Road wildfire.  Full details on the FortisBC website.  

For the latest information visit www.cordemergency.ca. Updates are also available via social media; follow us at facebook.com/CORDEmergency or twitter.com/CO_Emerg