Hundreds of evacuations as out of control wildfire in Peachland area closes Hwy 97 and 97C

Jul 30, 2025 | 3:24 PM

UPDATE : 6:05 p.m.

DriveBC said an update on the highway closures would be available at 8 p.m. An earlier update had been expected at 6 p.m. but there has been no word on when the closures could end.

UPDATE: 5:15 pm

Evacuations were underway for about 400 properties because of the wildfire burning in the Peachland area.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre said due to the wildfire on Drought Hill between Peachland and West Kelowna tactical evacuations of approximately 400 nearby properties is underway and evacuation alerts would be issued soon.

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Highway 97 and Highway 97C are closed.

Properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C and north of Highway 97 are on evacuation order and are asked to prepare to be away from their properties for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.

Evacuees can temporarily report to Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street, Peachland.

A muster centre has been opened at Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Avenue, West Kelowna, for evacuees unable to access the Peachland Community Centre.

Refer to the Map | Central Okanagan Emergency Operations on CORDemergency.ca/map to search by street address to determine if you are under an evacuation order.

An aerial view of the wildfire near Peachland Wednesday afternoon/BC Wildfire Service

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.

The Peachland Fire Department is leading the suppression efforts at the scene of the wildfire in the Central Okanagan, but the B.C. Wildfire Service is also assisting in the fight.

The BCWS told Vernon Matters that 18 provincial firefighters and three wildfire officers were responding to the fire north of Peachland, along with skimmers, air tankers and bucketing helicopters.

As of the latest update the wildfire was still estimated at five hectares and classified as Out of Control.

The BCWS noted the fire was suspected of being caused by human activity.

The fire has also led to Highway 97 north of Peachland being closed, as well as the closure of the Okanagan Connector between West Kelowna and Merritt.

— Update: 4 p.m. —

Highway 97C, the Connector, was closed from Highway 97 to Aspen Grove because of the wildfire burning near Peachland.

A long stetch of the Connector – from West Kelowna to 22 km east of Merritt – is closed, in addition to the closure of Highway 97 between Buchanan Road and Glenrosa Road.

Drive BC reported an update would be available around 6 p.m.

A detour is in place for the closure of Highway 97: Hwy 33 via 201 Forest Service Rd / Okanagan Falls Rd from Penticton.

The BC Wildfire Service said the wildfire was estimated at five hectares and was ‘out of control’, meaning the fire is spreading or it is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.

Boaters asked to stay away

RCMP said they were assisting the BC Wildfire Service and the West Kelowna Fire Department with the current wildfire burning on Drought Hill in Peachland.

Police are asking the public to stay out of the area on the ground and on the lake. Helicopters and air tankers will be in 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.

— Original story —

A wildfire has ignited in the Peachland area.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions just south of the turnoff for the Okanagan Connector. That’s between Buchanan Road and Glenrosa Road.

The lower section of the connector as it approached Peachland is also closed according to Drive BC.

The fire started around 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 30.

Motorists reported being turned around by emergency personnel on Highway 97 at the bottom of Drought Hill.

The smoke is highly visible from the lake.

We’ll have more details as we get them from BC Wildfire Service.

by Vernon Matters Staff

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