Philpott Road fire now 30 per cent contained

Less than 20 properties remain on evacuation order for the Philpott Road fire in Joe Rich, as more evacuation orders were reduced to evacuation alerts Friday afternoon.

Properties between 310 and 391 Philpott Road were taken off evacuation order Friday, leaving 18 properties on evacuation order and 62 properties on evacuation alert.

For a detailed map showing evacuation alerts and orders, go online to cordemergency.ca/map.

The remaining residents on evacuation order are asked to report to the emergency support services reception centre at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 W.

They will receive information in case there is an opportunity this weekend to escort those residents to their homes for a brief period to retrieve items that might be needed over the long weekend and for the start of the school year.

Ninety firefighters continued work on the fire Friday.

As of Friday afternoon, the fire was estimated at 465 hectares at 30 per cent containment.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations advises residents to be aware of the potential hazards on private property as a result of fire activity. An area restriction for all Crown land in the area of the fire remains in effect.

Recreational use of Crown land, including hunting, is prohibited in the specified area.