A helicopter equipped to respond to wildfires flies past homes in the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain after RCMP officers enforced a new evacuation order, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
August 24, 2023 - 4:40 PM
Emergency officials have downgraded all evacuation orders in Kelowna to alert status effective immediately.
The current evacuation orders and alerts for West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the regional district remain in place, according to a Central Okanagan Emergency Centre media release issued this afternoon, Aug. 24.
It also said Glenmore Road has re-opened.
Kelowna residents living in the Finch Road area will only be able to get to their homes during the daytime if they have arranged access at the end of Wild Rose Road in the McKinley Landing neighbourhood.
The evacuation order remains in place for Lake Country residents on Finch Road.
Officials remind residents on evacuation alert to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment’s notice and be prepared to be away from home for an extended period.
For the latest on the evacuation orders and alerts go to the emergency operation centre’s map here.
There is also a comprehensive guide for safely returning home here.
If residents returning home notice hot spots within their areas, they can call the Kelowna Fire Department non-emergency line at 250-469-8577.
Officials warn people returning to their homes my encounter hazards on their property including damaged trees. Contact the City of Kelowna for dangerous trees on city property. Residents are advised to contact a qualified arborist for damaged trees on private property.
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