The truck fire on the highway suspected of causing the Drought Hill wildfire in Peachland on July 30, 2025.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Jj Abby
July 31, 2025 - 6:00 PM
A Peachland couple was heading home from Kelowna when emergency crews told him he had to turn around and evacuate because of the Drought Hill wildfire.
Hundreds of people were subject to a tactical evacuation Wednesday afternoon and evening when the wildfire quickly grew in size after being sparked by a vehicle fire. RCMP officers went door-to-door to tell people to leave immediately because their lives were in danger.
Al and his wife Pat discovered their home was part of the evacuation order.
They walked out of the emergency support centre at Royal LePage Place today, July 31, feeling a bit calmer since no structure damage has been reported.
“As far as we know our house is still good,” Al said.
“It might be pink, but that's OK,” Pat said.
The fire retardant dropped from the planes to protect structures and suppress flames has a distinct pinkish-red hue.
They visited some friends on the east side of the lake and were on their way home last night they had to turn around. All the couple had with them were the clothes on their backs and what was in Pat's purse.
Emergency support services have given them some money for essentials like clothes, food and toiletries. Fortunately, they have a friend to stay with in Kelowna while the evacuation order is in place.
“Money for groceries and a little bit to help us get a fresh shirt,” Pat said.
“And underarm deodorant,” said Al.
Although the situation is stressful, he’s happy with how quickly firefighters responded.
“When we drove out of Kelowna and saw the fire, it wasn't long after that the fire department, the aerial bombardment, it was well done,” he said.
Driving along Highway 97 there aren’t any visible flames and the pinkish-red fire retardant can be seen all over the hillside and where the truck that likely started the blaze initially caught fire.
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