An overhead view of the Knox Mountain wildfire on July 1, 2023.

Image Credit: TWITTER/BCGovFireInfo

The Knox Mountain wildfire is now under control after burning 6.5 hectares.

B.C. Wildfire Service received “a lot of calls” from the public around 2 p.m. yesterday, July 1, according to fire information officer Aiden Coray.

In addition to phone calls, around a dozen people reported the fire through the B.C. Wildfire app, which Coray said was extremely helpful.

"Reports that are submitted through the B.C. Wildfire app allows users to submit a photo, and reports like these can be extremely helpful for crews to be able to make a response that much quicker," she said.

"And having that many different perceptive of the fire can be very helpful."

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Peter Boyd

B.C. Wildfire initially sent 12 personnel to assist members of the Kelowna Fire Department, and then sent an addition 19 members, two bombers and two helicopters, who worked past midnight.

The fire’s classification was downgraded from active to held around 7 p.m. after burning 6.5 hectares.

The Central Okanagan Regional District placed nearby properties under evacuation order around 4 p.m. The orders were downgraded to alerts shortly after 7 p.m.

It was reclassified again to under control early this afternoon, July 2. Eighteen members of B.C Wildfire have been assigned to the fire, which is in its mop-up stage.

“We’re still dealing with flareups and burning tree roots which can cause ember-filled sink holes," deputy fire chief Sandra Follack said in a media release. “People and their pets must stay out of the area for the safety of themselves and to avoid interfering with our fire crews and potentially creating a new incident.”

Image Credit: TWITTER/BCGovFireInfo

—Story updated at 1:30 p.m., July 2, 2023 with an update from CORD.

Thanks to the quick response by the Kelowna Fire Dept and the BC Wildfire Service all fire orders have been rescinded, residents may now return home. You will see fire personnel on scene for a few days to ensure all hot spots are extinguished. #BCWildfire @cityofkelowna @BCRCMP — Kelowna RCMP (@KelownaRCMP) July 2, 2023

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