Fire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna (BC Wildfire Service photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Okanagan wildfire

UPDATE: Evacuation alerts lifted for Knox Mountain wildfire

Jul 3, 2023 | 4:50 PM

UPDATE: 4:50 p.m.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has rescinded the remaining evacuation alerts for the Knox Mountain wildfire in Kelowna, as well as the State of Local Emergency which has been in effect since July 1.

The low-intensity fire is under control at 6.5 hectares. Kelowna Fire Department continue to remain on scene at Knox Mountain to manage several hots spots.

The majority of Knox Mountain Park remains closed. While the City of Kelowna wants residents to be able to access and utilize our outdoor amenities public safety is the priority. Hazards remain in the areas that no longer have an active fire, such as sink holes caused by burning tree roots.

“While the fire is now under control, we would like to remind our residents that this is still an active fire and in areas the fire is no longer burning there are still potential hazards,” said Sandra Follack, Deputy Fire Chief, Kelowna Fire Department. “We appreciate the public’s patience and for helping with firefighting efforts by remaining away from the areas of Knox Mountain Park that were part of the active fire as crews continue fire suppression efforts.”

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City of Kelowna staff will be in the park on Tuesday identifying and mitigation hazards and assessing damage to infrastructure.

A map showing the status of Knox Mountain Park can be found at: cordemergency.ca/map

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

• Stay safely away from Knox Mountain area until areas are reopened, so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
• Only access the areas of Knox Mountain Park that have been reopened so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
• Please only call 911 in case of emergency
• For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
• Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
• A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)

UPDATE: 1:30 p.m. July 2, 2023
Knox Mountain wildfire under control

The Knox Mountain wildfire in Kelowna is now classified as under control at 6.5 hectares in size.

The BC Wildfire Service and Kelowna Fire Department have secured the fire’s perimeter by implementing a fuel-free guard and water delivery system and will be continuing to patrol for remaining hot spots within the fire area.

The evacuation alert for properties in Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton areas will remain in place until Tuesday. Knox Mountain Park, including the path to Paul’s Tomb, remains closed until further notice. City of Kelowna is reminding residents they are prohibited from entering the active fire zone. Failure to comply will result in an up to $500 fine.

A map showing the list of roads and properties under evacuation alert can be viewed at cordemergency.ca/map.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

Stay safely away from Knox Mountain area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
Please only call 911 in case of emergency
For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)

UPDATE: 11:30 a.m. July 2, 2023

Kelowna Fire Department and BC Wildfire remained on scene at Knox Mountain overnight managing some minor flare ups, mostly in the larger woody debris areas.

The low-intensity fire is being held at 6.5 hectares.

The evacuation alert for properties in Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton areas will remain in place until Tuesday.

Knox Mountain Park, including the path to Paul’s Tomb, remains closed until further notice. City of Kelowna is reminding residents they are prohibited from entering the active fire zone. Failure to comply will result in an up to $500 fine.

“We’re still dealing with flareups and burning tree roots which can cause ember-filled sink holes,” said Sandra Follack, Deputy Fire Chief, Kelowna Fire Department. “People and their pets must stay out of the area for the safety of themselves and to avoid interfering with our fire crews and potentially creating a new incident.”

Lighter winds today are helping to hold the fire perimeter.

Residents on Evacuation Alert should continue to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Some things to get ready include gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacuation plan including a plan for pets and animals, having a full tank of gas in the car and a 72-hour emergency kit. Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared for more tips on how to get ready.

UPDATE: 8:43 p.m.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts and will remain in effect for properties in Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton areas.

The City of Kelowna has closed Knox Mountain Park until further notice.

The wildfire remains active and is being monitored by BC Wildfire and Kelowna fire crews. People may notice a lot of smoke and some visible flames coming from the active fire area as crews continue working overnight to fight the blaze.

The Knox Mountain wildfire (K51040) is now classified as Being Held at 6.5 hectares in size. #BCWildfire #Kelowna pic.twitter.com/efi8aXnLqZ

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 2, 2023

The fuel mitigation work undertaken in Knox Mountain Park by the City of Kelowna, with the support of the province help to decrease the severity of the fire. Today’s weather conditions created severe risk with the combination of heat, low humidity and high winds.

“Fire personnel on the ground feel that the fuel mitigation work kept the fire on the ground and out of the trees,” said Mac Logan, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre. “Crews were able to safely and effectively suppress and contain the fire before it affected nearby homes.”

Residents on Evacuation Alert should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Some things to get ready include gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacuation plan including a plan for pets and animals, having a full tank of gas in the car and a 72-hour emergency kit. Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared for more tips on how to get ready.

A map showing the list of roads and properties under evacuation alert can be viewed at cordemergency.ca/map.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:
Avoid the Knox Mountain area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
Please only call 911 in case of emergency
For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)
The next update will be midday Sunday.

UPDATE: 7:15 p.m.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts for more than 400 properties impacted by the Knox Mountain wildfire in Kelowna.

The alerts will remain in effect for properties in Poplar Point, Knox Mountain, Magic Estates and Clifton areas.

The City of Kelowna has closed Knox Mountain Park until further notice.

BC Wildfire reports the Knox Mountain Fire is being held, however, the fire remains active and is being monitored overnight by BC Wildfire and Kelowna fire crews.

Residents on alert should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Some things to get ready include gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacuation plan including a plan for pets and animals, having a full tank of gas in the car and a 72-hour emergency kit. Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared for more tips on how to get ready.

A map showing the list of roads and properties under evacuation alert can be viewed at cordemergency.ca/map.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

Avoid the Knox Mountain area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
Please only call 911 in case of emergency
For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)

UPDATE: 6:40 p.m.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Knox Mountain wildfire 2 km northwest of Kelowna is now classified as being held at 6.5 hectares

That is defined as “a wildfire that is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under current conditions.”

The service says the fire is suspected to be human caused.

No further information about he evacuation orders and alerts have been issued.

==

UPDATE: 5:50 p.m.
Evacuation orders issued for over 400 properties due to Knox Mountain fire

More than 400 properties have been ordered to evacuate due to a wildfire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna.

An Evacuation Order has been issued for residents in the Poplar Point and Knox Mountain areas.  All residents must leave the area immediately.

Please refer to the interactive map on CORDemergency.ca where you can search by your street address to determine if you are affected or not.

Evacuation Order is in place for 448 properties:

CHAPLIN RD
HERBERT HEIGHTS RD
KNOX MOUNTAIN DR
POPLAR POINT DR
AVONLEA WAY
CALIBURN CRT
CAMELOT CRT
CLIFTON RD (238 – 250)
COMUS PL
HIGHGATE CRT
KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAY
LAMBETH CRT
MAGIC DR
MERLIN CRT
PENDRAGON PL
RIO DR (1195 – 1240)
RIO DR S
WIZARD CRT
WOODCREST CRT
WOODPARK CRES
WOODPARK CRT
WOODWIND CRT
An Emergency Support Services Centre has been opened at the Salvation Army at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna. It is very important for evacuated property owners to register with Emergency Support Services (ESS) online at ess.gov.bc.ca  in order to be contacted about the status of their property. Evacuees should register even if they do not need ESS support. This is how we obtain official contact information.

Evacuation Alert is in place for 899 properties:

BENNETT RD
BOPPART CRT
CLEAR POND CRT
CLEAR POND PL
CLIFTON CRT
CLIFTON LANE
CLIFTON RD (124 – 154)
CLIFTON RD N
ECHO RIDGE DR
FOREST EDGE DR
FOREST EDGE PL
KYNDREE CRT
LEDGE ROCK CRT
LOCHVIEW RD
LOST CREEK CRT
LOST CREEK LANE
LOST CREEK PL
LYNN CRT
PRINCE EDWARD DR
RED ROCK CRT
RED SKY CRT
RED SKY PL
RIALTO DR
RIO DR (1252 – 1285)
ROCKY POINT DR
RODONDO PL
SHEERWATER CRT
SKY CRT
SKYLAND DR
SPLIT PINE CRT
SUMMER WOOD DR
TERRACE DR
TINA CRT
TRIPLE TREE PL
UPPER CANYON DR
UPPER CANYON DR N
WILDEN RIDGE DR
Residents on alert should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Some things to get ready include gathering key documents and medication, a list of key phone numbers, an evacuation plan including a plan for pets and animals, having a full tank of gas in the car and a 72-hour emergency kit. Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared for more tips on how to get ready.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

Avoid the Knox Mountain area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
Please only call 911 in case of emergency
For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)

 4:00 p.m.

Due to a wildfire in the Knox Mountain area of Kelowna, evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the Knox Mountain and Poplar Point areas.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says all residents must leave the area immediately.

RCMP and COSAR are assisting with tactical evacuations in the areas of Poplar Point, north of Knox Mountain Park Drive, including Knox Mountain Park.

Another tactical evacuation is underway in Magic Estates, from Rio Drive south to Magic Estates Drive, in all areas west of Clifton Drive.

An evacuation alert is in place for the remainder of Clifton Road area and the community of  Wilden to Upper Canyon Drive north to Union Drive.

Kelowna Fire Department crews are dealing with the priorities of the incident.

An evaluation of the situation is underway and specific details will be released as they are confirmed and the map updated. Public safety and the safety of emergency response personnel are the primary concerns at this time.

Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts.

New information will be released to the media as soon as it becomes available. Emergency response personnel request that the public:

Avoid Knox Mountain Park area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
Please only call 911 in case of emergency
For up-to-date information on the situation, including a map, and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free)

Wildfire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna
Jul 1, 2023 | 3:36 PM

RCMP are asking the public to stay away from the area as several agencies respond to a wildfire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna.

The police reported the fire just before 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 1.

“In order to keep everyone safe as fire suppressant teams are deployed and tactical evacuation efforts are underway, we are asking everyone to stay away from Knox Mountain area and the Magic Estate area,” Corporal Judith Bertrand, media liaison officer for the Kelowna Regional Detachment, said.

The BC Wildfire Service is assisting the Kelowna Fire Department in response to the fire which as of 3:16 p.m., was estimated to be 4 hectares and was classified as out of control.

The fire is highly visible in the Kelowna area.