West Kelowna wildfire: Evacuations ordered near Kalamoir Regional Park

File photo of the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire. Photo by DARREN HULL /AFP via Getty Images

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More than 100 firefighters are working to control a fast-moving wildfire that forced some West Kelowna residents out of their homes on Tuesday.

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West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said crews were making good progress fighting the blaze, which started Monday near Kalamoir Regional Park and spread towards residential neighbourhoods.

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“The fire came with inches of homes,” said Brolund. “Those homes were saved because the firefighters who were right there. We don’t believe homes were lost because of their hard work.”

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Central Okanagan Emergency Management ordered evacuations for more than 350 properties in the Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights areas as fire crews work to control the human-caused blaze in the regional park on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

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Affected streets include: Collens Hill Road, Lakeview Road, Lake Ridge Road, and Weatherhill Road in the Lakeview Heights area, and Casa Loma Road, Benedick Road, Lucinde Road, Casa Palmero Road, Alice Road and portions of Campbell Road in the Casa Loma area.

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The West Kelowna municipal fire department is taking the lead in fighting the fire, but the B.C. Wildfire Service also has 26 people at the fire as well as two helicopters and air tankers.

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As of 12:45 p.m., the fire measured about six to eight city blocks in size. A state of local emergency has been declared for the City of West Kelowna.

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“We’re not out of the woods yet and the wind continues to be a factor for us,” said Brolund.

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He asked for people’s patience with the numerous road closures in the area and encouraged British Columbians to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.

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“This should be a wakeup call,” said Brolund.. “We’re lucky no homes are lost here in West Kelowna today, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing more FireSafe activities and be more resilient to these wildfires.”

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Residents and motorists are asked to stay away from the fire and not stop along the road to watch or take photographs of the wildfire.

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A muster centre has been set up at Westbank Lions Hall at 2466 Main St. in West Kelowna for anyone who has been evacuated.

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View our 2026 wildfire tracker and get the latest information on fires in B.C., including air quality information and current bans, HERE.

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