A wildfire that ignited Tuesday morning near Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna, British Columbia, has been classified as "being held" by the BC Wildfire Service. The fire, which is estimated to have reached eight hectares in size, threatened nearby homes due to strong winds gusting between 30 and 50 km/h.
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund confirmed that no structures were lost in the incident, though a pergola was damaged. The fire is believed to be human-caused and is under investigation as potentially suspicious. Tactical evacuations were initiated for 357 properties in the Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights neighbourhoods, with an additional 385 properties placed on evacuation alert. An emergency egress route, constructed in 2024, was utilized to assist in the evacuation of residents from Lakeview Heights.
Firefighting efforts involved over 40 firefighters from West Kelowna Fire Rescue, supported by crews from the Kelowna Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Service, along with aerial support. Brolund emphasized the importance of wildfire mitigation work in the park, stating it proved its worth during the incident. He also noted that while the fire is held, residents should remain vigilant, as the region is in a prime wildfire season. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of wildfires in the province.
A muster station was set up at the Westbank Lion's Hall Community Centre to provide support for evacuees, offering temporary housing, food, and clothing. Residents who were evacuated are encouraged to contact their insurance providers and create a profile on the provincial emergency social services website.
