VICTORIA — An out-of-control fire outside of Kelowna with a listed size of 1.5 hectares as of 4 p.m. Sunday has led to tactical evacuations, but a local emergency group says some residents might be able to return home as early as tonight.
The so-called Daves Creek fire is currently burning 15 kilometres east of Kelowna near Highway 33, which officials have closed between Goudie Road and Cardinal Creek.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says on social media that progress is being made on holding the blaze and residents of Joe Rich who evacuated should anticipate returning to their homes later tonight as conditions allow.
It says crews are continuing their suppression efforts and safety assessments.
Highway 33 had been closed, but 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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2025.
Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
