Wildfire-related tactical evacuations near Kelowna cancelled

VICTORIA — Residents affected by a tactical evacuation issued for the Okanagan’s Joe Rich area due to an out-of-control fire are now allowed to return home, a local emergency group says.

The so-called Daves Creek fire burning 15 kilometres east of Kelowna near Highway 33 was listed at a size of 1.5 hectares as of 4 p.m. Sunday when the Central Okanagan Emergency Group issued a tactical evacuation order.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says on social media that progress is being made on holding the blaze, and in an update shortly before 8:30 p.m., it said residents of the Joe Rich area to could be able to return home later in the day.

The emergency operations centre says that three properties on Goudie Road are now on evacuation alert.

Officials had closed Highway 33 between Goudie Road and Cardinal Creek, but the road was reopened on Sunday night to single lane, alternating traffic east of Kelowna.

Earlier on Sunday Central Okanagan Emergency Operations asked all evacuees to report to the Kelowna Salvation Army located at 1480 Sutherland Ave., or the Joe Rich Community Hall at 11481 Highway 33.

A picture posted by BC Wildfire Service shows smoke near a hairpin curve on Highway 33 as it runs through grasslands.

The area is considered to sparsely populated.

BCWS says the cause of the fire discovered Sunday afternoon remains under investigation.

Crews are continuing their suppression efforts and safety assessments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press