New wildfire triggers tactical evacuations near Kelowna

The Daves Creek wildfire near Kelowna is seen on Sunday, Aug. 10, in this image handed out by the BC Wildfire Service.

A wildfire that sparked Sunday afternoon just outside Kelowna has triggered tactical evacuations and forced the closure of Highway 33.

As of 4 p.m., the Daves Creek blaze had burned an estimated 1.5 hectares on a hillside near Goudie Road, about 15 kilometres east of the city. It is listed as out of control and suspected to be human-caused.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre opened muster stations at the Kelowna Salvation Army and the Joe Rich Community Hall for evacuees, but it is unclear how many people were forced to flee.

BC Wildfire Service deployed three initial attack crews and three helicopters to the scene, who are joined by local municipal fire departments.

The agency says the blaze is burning at Rank 2 and 3 fire behaviour, meaning a “low-to-moderate vigour surface fire wit visible open flame.”

A BCWS information officer told CTV News crews are making good progress in the fight.

Highway 33 between Daves and Joe Richie roads was shut down in both directions around 3 p.m.

“For public safety reasons, residents and visitors are reminded to maintain a safe distance from the fire and all fire suppression activities,” the emergency operations centre wrote in a notice.

“Motorists are reminded that they should not be stopping along Highway 33 to observe or take photos of the wildfire and to allow crews to safely do their work.”

The information officer reminded people that while B.C. has been relatively lucky in terms of weather this year, there’s still some summer left so it’s important to be careful in the backcountry and obey all fire bans.