UPDATE: 4:10 p.m.
A wildfire north of West Kelowna has been put under control a day after it was discovered.
The Blue Grouse Creek wildfire was first discovered on Aug. 1. In a day, it had grown to 20 hectares before firefighters were able to contain it.
As of 3:03 p.m. on Aug. 2, the fire is classified as “under control” by the BC Wildfire Service. The blaze remains at an estimated 20 hectares in size.
Evacuation alerts related to the Blue Grouse wildfire were lifted earlier on Aug. 1, but further evacuation alerts and orders remain further north on Westside road as the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek wildfires continue to burn.
The cause of the Blue Grouse Creek wildfire is still under investigation.
UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.
The status of the Blue Grouse wildfire has been downgraded to “being held” according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The fire remains at 20 hectares in size, but evacuation alerts related to the blaze have been lifted.
UPDATE: 10:24 a.m.
Evacuation alerts issued due to the Blue Grouse wildfire have been lifted for properties in the Bear Creek Main.
The alert has been lifted for the following areas:
Baird Road;
Bancroft Road;
Banff Road;
Bear Lake Road from Westside Road to Bald Range Creek;
37 Blue Grouse Road;
Blue Grouse Mountain Road;
Bolton Road;
Browse Road;
Edith Court;
Heldon Court;
Siemens Road;
Traders Cove Road;
From Bear Creek Provincial Park to 2171 Westside Road North
The alert was put in place on Aug. 1 for due to the nearby Blue Grouse wildfire which grew to 20 hectares in size, as reported by BC Wildfire.
Since then, “Significant progress has been made by firefighting crews in reducing fire activity and protecting the area” according to Central Okanagan Emergency Management.
“BC Wildfire crews continued ground and aerial suppression efforts overnight, with only limited fire growth reported.”
Evacuation alerts and orders for properties affected by the Quilpituk Creek fire are still in place.
The public is currently being asked to avoid areas impacted by the fires so crews can clear the area of any remaining hot spots.
Boaters are also asked to stay out of areas on the lake that have been affected by the fire.
Anyone who sees fire activity outside of designated or expected areas are asked to report it by calling *5555, or by dialing 911 for fires within city limits.
“While the Evacuation Alert has been lifted, this incident serves as an important reminder that wildfire season is ongoing and conditions can change quickly.”
ORIGINAL
The wildfire in West Kelowna remains out of control on Sunday morning, Aug. 2.
Known as the Blue Grouse Creek wildfire, the 20-hectare blaze was last updated by BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) at 9:19 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1.
In that update, BCWS stated the blaze was displaying Rank 1 fire behaviour, meaning it’s “a smouldering ground fire with no open flame, white smoke and slow rate of spread.”
On Sunday morning, an evacuation alert remains in place for Baird Road, Bancroft Road, Banff Road, Bear Lake Road from Westside Road to Bald Range Creek, 37 Blue Grouse Road, Blue Grouse Mountain Road, Bolton Road, Browse Road, Edith Court, Heldon Court, Siemens Road, Traders Cover Road, and from Bear Creek Provincial Park to 2171 Westside Road North.
“Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice,” stated Central Okanagan Emergency Management (CORD). “They should be prepared to be away from home for an extended period, make arrangements for their pets, and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.”
Firefighters from BCWS and West Kelowna Fire Rescue have been battling the blaze.
With windy conditions and the fire burning in an area where fire burned in 2023, there was a “significant” safety concern due to the potential of dead standing trees falling over.
As of Sunday morning, 36 BCHydro customers along Bear Lake Main Road remain without power due to a tree across wires.
Black Press Media will update this wildfire throughout the day.