Wildfire at Kalamoir Regional Park leads to tactical evacuations

Jun 16, 2026 | 12:39 PM

UPDATED 1:20 p.m.

Tactical evacuations were underway on the west side of Okanagan Lake after a wildfire sparked at the Kalamoir Regional Park late Tuesday morning.

Several neighborhoods at Lakeview Heights and Casa Loma area were evacuated after the fire started in high winds of up to 48 km/h and rising temperatures. The winds were blowing from the south-southwest early Tuesday afternoon.

The Westbank Lion’s Hall Community Centre 2466 Main St is the designated muster station.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is leading the battle with assistance from the BC Wildfire Service which has deployed 12 of its personnel along with two helicopters and airtankers.

80 Hectare Blaze

Wildfire burning near Stump Lake

3h ago

Fatal Collision

One person dead, two injured in crash on Westside Road

4h ago

Housing Construction

Local housing construction down in May, annually

Jun 15, 2026

The BC Wildfire Service website said the suspected cause of the blaze was human activity.

The blaze was discovered shortly after provincial officials provided an update on B.C.’s wildfire outlook, saying spring showers and a slow start to the season were “masking” underlying drought and the likelihood of increased fire activity.

Neal McLoughlin, superintendent for predictive services, told the news conference that current drought patterns are worse compared with those recorded at the same time of year in the historic fire seasons of 2017, 2018 and 2021.

Here are the properties under evacuation:

Lakeview Heights

Collens Hill Road
Lakeview Road
Lake Ridge Road
Weatherhill Road

Casa Loma areas:

Casa Loma Road
Benedick Road
Lucinde Road
Casa Palmero Road
Alice Road
Portions of Campbell Road

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre issued a map highlighting the wildfire area on the west side of the lake. (Image Credit: Coemergency.ca)

At 12:46 p.m. the wildfire was reported at eight hectares in size and out of control according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Heavy smoke is visible from both sides of the lake as crews work to contain the flames.

(With files from The Canadian Press.)

by Vernon Matters Staff

View Comments