Wildfire shuts down 2 highways near West Kelowna, B.C.
Two major highways in the Okanagan are closed after a wildfire sparked in Peachland near the West Kelowna border Wednesday afternoon.
The blaze is burning on Drought Hill near the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 97C, the latter better known as the Okanagan Connector.
DriveBC said on social media that Highway 97 is closed in both directions between Peachland and the junction.
'Full closure anticipated for Highway 97C,' the agency added in its post.
⛔🔥#BCHwy97 - The highway is CLOSED in both directions between #Peachland and the #BCHwy97C junction due to a developing wildfire. #WestKelowna #Kelowna #OkanaganHwy
The #BCHwy97C eastbound at the junction is also closed. Full closure anticipated for Highway 97C.… pic.twitter.com/JTV8fOIXEU — DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 30, 2025
About half an hour later, the agency confirmed that the Okanagan Connector had been closed from its junction with Highway 5A southeast of Merritt through the junction with Highway 97.
The B.C. Wildfire Service lists the blaze as out of control and human-caused. It was estimated at five hectares in size as of Wednesday afternoon.
The RCMP's Kelowna Regional Detachment issued a statement saying it was assisting the BCWS and the West Kelowna Fire Department in responding to the wildfire.
'Police are asking the public to stay out of the area on the ground and on the lake,' Mounties said. 'Helicopters and airtankers will be refilling their aircraft with water from Okanagan Lake and must have a clear path. Boaters are asked to be aware and not obstruct the aircraft from accessing the lake in their firefighting efforts.'
The Central Okanagan Regional District said it had activated its Emergency Operations Centre in response to the fire.
We are aware of a wildfire in Peachland near the Hwy 97 at Drought Hill. Fire crews and #BCWildfire are responding & the EOC is activated. More info to come. Visit https://t.co/XBeUYmQOMh to stay informed. pic.twitter.com/RjvKsl1Qhx — Central Ok Emergency (@CO_Emerg) July 30, 2025
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
Western Bay ordered to evacuate as C.B.N fire grows larger
As fire crews continue to fight an out of control wildfire in Kingston N.L., an immediate evacuation order has been issued for the Town of Western Bay. Evacuees are advised to head north on route 70 and to register with the Canadian Red Cross at the reception centre at Persalvic School Complex in Victoria. An evacuation alert is also in place for residents of Ochre Pit Cove. This means residents in that area should be prepared to evacuate on short notice. In a 9:30 p.m. public advisory, the province said the wildfire, which is near Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove and Kingston, remains very active. According to the government, water bombers, helicopters, and ground crews maintained the fire's perimeter for most of the day. However, the province said the fire has since grown in size after a late evening surge pushed the fire into the southwest edge of Small Point-Adams Cove. In a social media post at 11:00 p.m., Newfoundland Power also announced that it shut off power in areas from Kingston to the end of Adam's Cove to support the wildfire response. While it is currently unknown how large the fire is, government had previously estimated the size to be 156 hectares. Evacuees are offered shelter at Victoria's Persalvic School Complex, however the province says if residents decide to shelter elsewhere, they are still required to register by calling 709-729-0921.
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
Wildfires force thousands from their homes across Canada
From coast to coast, thousands of Canadians have had to flee their homes because of wildfires, and many more are experiencing smoky skies with potentially dangerous air quality.
CTV News
42 minutes ago
- CTV News
Environment Canada ends special air quality statement for Ottawa
The sun peeks through a thin haze in the ByWard Market in Ottawa. Aug. 4, 2025. (Ted Raymond/CTV News Ottawa) A special air quality statement that was in effect in Ottawa due to wildfire smoke ended just before 6 p.m. Monday. On Monday morning, Environment Canada said smoky conditions could have lingered longer, but the air quality health index (AQHI) in Ottawa had dropped to 2, or low risk, by the time the statement was lifted. The AQHI for Ottawa was 5, or moderate, at 10 a.m., and had fallen to 2 by 5 p.m. The forecast says it could rise to 4, a moderate risk, by Monday night before dropping back into the low risk category on Tuesday. While the air quality statement for Ottawa has ended, one remains in effect over much of southern Ontario, including along the St. Lawrence River, as of late Monday afternoon. The forecast on shows a thin blanket of wildfire smoke from the Prairies still resting over much of Ontario. The forecast for Monday night calls for a few clouds with some local smoke and a low of 14 C. Tuesday's forecast is cloudy in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, with a high of 27 C and a humidex of 32. The AQHI is forecast to be 3, or low risk, on Tuesday. There could be some local smoke in the air Tuesday night. Wednesday's outlook is partly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high of 29 C. Ways to deal with smoke Environment Canada says there are ways to deal with wildfire smoke, both inside and outside your home. 'Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles,' the weather agency says. 'If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.'
