Several wildfires burning in the Okanagan

A number of homes and campers have been evacuated following an overnight fire at Bear Creek in West Kelowna.

Just before midnight, a fire was reported near Westside Road and an evacuation order was issued for several areas. Those along Trader Cove, in Bear Creek Provincial Campground, and Bear Creek Road north of Parkinson Road were evacuated due to the wildfire threat.

Westside Road has been closed between Bear Creek Road and Okanagan Lake Resort as crews work to contain the blaze. A total of 156 properties have been evacuated along with numerous campers. An evacuation alert remains in effect for 14 properties in the Pine Point subdivision.

An evacuation centre has been opened at 2466 Main St. in West Kelowna and was closed at 3 a.m. but will reopen at 9 a.m. Crews have not yet determined the size of the wildfire and are expected to give an update at 7:00 a.m.

There are several wildfires burning in the Okanagan including four separate fires near West Kelowna at Jackpine Lake. This fire is approximately 13 hectares in size and is located 18 kilometres west of West Kelowna. Nearly 20 fire fighters are on site with support from air tankers, skimmer aircraft and helicopters. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.

Another wildfire is burning in Okanagan Falls at Greenlake Road. According to the BC Wildfire Service, this fire is at least three hectares in size but further information has not yet been released.