Major Wild Fire in West Kelowna/Peachland, BC

[bc-chris]

there's a major wild fire in Peachland/West Kelowna, BC right now

for those familiar with the area, it's on highway 97 on 'Drought Hill'... the major hill that goes from Peachland to West Kelowna.

they are evacuating houses and a number of police and civilians are trapped in one area becuz the fire is moving so quickly - so they are heading down to the lake to be evacuated by boat

so far fire units from Peachland, West Kelowna, Summerland, Kelowna (rescue boat), Winfield (rescue boat) and forestry are responding. the rcmp boats are also being used

it's been super hot & dry here lately and right now it's extremely windy. we have a severe thunderstorm watch for the area this afternoon.

here are a couple pics that i took from just up the hill from my place...







just another summer in the okanagan!!

[malcolmk14]

Scary stuff, that fire last year was devastating. Hopefully they can get this one under control.

I'll be in Kelowna in a couple weeks but I'm on the East side of the lake.

[FlamesAddiction]

I was just there on the long weekend.

They just can't seem to get a break with fires the past few years.

[Mustache]

Here we go again...

Hopefully everyone gets out alright.

[Jbo]

I'm heading out through there Sunday ...last year was crazy

[Bill Bumface]

Sweet. So in a week we should be all be enjoying the nice cloud of smoke that rolls in and makes everyone feel like crap.

[Russic]

Geez just left my in-laws place on Thursday ... hopefully everything works out. It was rainy but they got hit with about 5 days of 30+ weather.

[Knut]

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-55684--.htm

Some more pictures and videos.

[REDVAN]

Heard a rumour that the road is closed at Vernon? I am headed out that way tonight after work, anyone know where I can find out more info?

[burn_this_city]

drivebc.ca

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Heard a rumour that the road is closed at Vernon? I am headed out that way tonight after work, anyone know where I can find out more info?

http://www.drivebc.ca/

[Flabbibulin]

Peachland is to the south of Kelowna. There wouldn't be any closures near Vernon because of this. There is some construction from Vernon to Kelowna, but that is all. Either way, the fire is contained and should be less of a problem as the week goes on.

[REDVAN]

Thanks all for the help- I've gone to Kelowna many many times, but it's my girlfriend's first time... of course someone at work told her there were road closures and she started freaking out. Should be good, save the construction delays (and rain?)!

[Winsor_Pilates]

deja vu

You could change the year on the news report and leave everything else the same. Last year I was working in Penticton, but staying in Kelowna. Couldn't get back to my appartment because of the fire and had to hotel it in Penticton a couple of days. Hopefully everyone is safe.