All evacuation orders for Kelowna downgraded to alerts

Aug 24, 2023 | 4:22 PM Pete McIntyre

All City of Kelowna properties previously under evacuation order have been downgraded to alert status.

Current evacuation orders and alerts for Lake Country and West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and RDCO remain in place, including residents on Bancroft Road in RDCO Electoral Area West, who were mistakenly included in the previous release.

The Emergency Operations Centre has a comprehensive guide for safely returning home with information about property and food safety, including fridges and freezers, pets, insurance, mental health support and more. Find the guide and other resources online at:

Glenmore Road has been re-opened. City of Kelowna residents living in the Finch Road area will be required to access their homes during daylight hours via arranged access at the end of Wild Rose Road in the McKinley Landing neighbourhood.

The evacuation order for Lake Country residents along Finch Road remains in place at this time.

View the updated order and alert areas on cordemergency.ca/map.

Residents on evacuation alert must be prepared to leave their properties at a moment’s notice and be away from home for an extended period.

Additional information for the safe return home

Residents may encounter various hazards on their properties created by the wildfire including damaged trees. Damaged trees on private property should consult with a qualified arborist. Damages trees on City property can be reported thought the City of Kelowna’s service request system at kelowna.ca.

Other online resources for residents returning to their homes include:

Closures of parks and natural areas will continue including Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park and the North Glenmore Dog Park. For more information on Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park, go to www.rdco.com.

Residents are asked to respect signs, locked gates and barricades and stay out of these parks and natural areas in the wildfire affected areas for their safety. Crews will be doing hazard assessments and working in those areas to get them safe for eventual re-entry in the weeks ahead.

If residents returning home notice hot spots within their areas, they can call the Kelowna Fire Department non-emergency line at 250-469-8577.

The public is reminded, for the safety of the public and fire crews, to not enter areas still under an Evacuation Order. There are still many areas where active firefighting is underway and dangers like downed power lines, hazardous materials, debris and equipment pose a safety risk.