Fire Philpot and 33

[Troy]

Here's the view from downtown Kelowna right now:

IMG_8368c.jpg

[ferri]

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.

An evacuation order has been issued for the entire area of Joe Rich.

This affects residents from Walker Hill on the Highway 33 western boundary of Kelowna, to Big White Road and the east and Mission Creek and Joe Rich Creek along the south.

The evacuation is for 474 properties and affects an estimated 1,100 people.

Structural fire crews from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Ellison and Lake Country departments are fighting the blaze, which was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. They are joined by BC Wildfire Service crews on the ground and in the air.

An Emergency Support Services reception centre is being set up at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 West in Kelowna. ESS volunteers will be available starting at 5 p.m. to help evacuees.

The public is asked to avoid the Highway 33 area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties.

[ferri]

UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.

FortisBC is working with emergency officials to assess damage from the Philpott Road Fire in the Joe Rich area of Kelowna and determine the impact on the FortisBC electricity system.

To ensure public safety, we have interrupted service to approximately 2,500 customers in the area.

Once the area has been made safe and the necessary repairs to FortisBC infrastructure has been made, we will have a clearer idea of the estimated restoration time.

If customers have any concerns or to report a natural gas emergency or power lines down, they can call our customer service line directly:

Natural gas emergencies: 1-800-663-9911 (24 hours)

Electricity emergencies or power outages: 1-866-436-7847 (24 hours)

[Omnitheo]

I know some people affected by this, and I spent some time living at a property in the area. My thoughts go out to all the people and their pets.

[Queen K]

My friend is trying to get their horses out. I've sent them the phone number for the 19 ft trailer.

[WalterWhite]

They have a ton of air resources hitting it right now.

[JagXKR]

Current Penticton Base has 3 Convairs. One about to take off, one refilling and one about to land. May be more involved.

[Troy]

The fire is now 300 hectares
https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/2 ... 0-hectares

[Queen K]

Ripped from Facebook. I got friends in places on Hwy 33. This was an hour ago, imagine now.

[lightspeed]

ATTENTION:
Okanagan Forest Task Force

any one up phillpot rd or area need help getting out of there please let me know. We have a large fully enclosed trailer and 1 tun truck we can be there fast.
My number is 250-863-3210

^ what a guy. What a legend.

[Zazzle]

I'd lend my tuck and trailer as well as I'm in Black Mountain but they aren't going to let anyone into the immediate affected areas :-/

[Barney Google]

Horses can come here PM me. We've got folks in place to help move. Fire has been pushed away from the highway and into bush. Air crews are going nonstop. Can't get up here anymore from either direction. Our place is okay for now. Stock n folks can come here. PM me if needed.

[Queen K]

from facebook Lake Country District. I feel bad not being able to credit the photographer though.

[Bpeep]

Does anyone know of any structure losses?

[mitch111]

Does anyone know the frequency forestry or the fire dept is using? Maybe the gold simplex channel for forestry?