Joe Rich fire considered out of control

A fire broke out in Joe Rich Thursday afternoon prompting hundreds of of people to be evacuated as crews fought the blaze from the air and the ground.

The fire, located on the north side of Highway 33 East, was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m.

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, the fire was estimated at 300 hectares in size, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.

“It is considered out of control at the moment,” said Melanie Moran, B.C. Wildfire Service information officer.

Crews from Joe Rich, Kelowna, Ellison and Lake Country fire departments were fighting the blaze along with crews from the B.C. Wildfire Service.

On Thursday afternoon, Highway 33 was closed in both directions between Goudie Road and Schram Road.

Evacuation orders were issued for the entire Joe Rich area, from Walker Hill on the Highway 33 western boundary of the City of Kelowna to Big White Road to the east and Mission Creek and Joe Rich Creek along the south.

This affects approximately 474 properties and an estimated 1,100 people.

Properties east of Greystokes Road were evacuated via McCulloch Road.

All properties west of Cardinal Creek Road were on evacuation alert and were asked to be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change.

An Emergency Support Services reception centre was established at Willow Park church on Highway 33 in Kelowna.

FortisBC interrupted service for approximately 2,500 customers in the area to assess damage from the fire and determine the impact on the electricity system.