UPDATED: Wildfire near YLW held after prompting tactical evacuations, closure of airspace

In an evening update, the BC Wildfire Service said the blaze, labelled the Whelan Creek wildfire, was categorized as Being Held at an estimated 6 hectares in size.

The BCWS said this status means the wildfire is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.

Operations at Kelowna International Airport resumed after an earlier shut down of the airspace, although many flights were cancelled.

In an earlier statement, issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) by Emergency Operations, all residents located on Rockface Road, Upper Booth and Farmers Drive were asked to evacuate the area immediately. Evacuees are able to gather at the Emergency Support Services Muster Centre at the Beasley Community Centre at 3450 Woodsdale Road in Lake Country.

Original story –

Kelowna RCMP, as well as local fire crews and the BC Wildfire Service responded to a growing wildfire in the Ellison area, near Kelowna International Airport, Sunday afternoon.

Properties along Rockface Road, Upper Booth Road, and Dead Pine Road were affected and officers were conducting tactical evacuations of homes in the area, while asking residents to prepare for a possible evacuation.

The airport issued an airspace closure notification. It said due to the active wildfire burning just east of Kelowna International Airport, the BC Wildfire Service had closed the surrounding airspace.

As a result, all arrivals and departures are currently suspended until further notice.

The fire erupted mid-afternoon Sunday with thick brown smoke ballooning into the sky. BC Wildfire Service aircraft were seen actioning the blaze with helicopter water drops and retardant deployed by fixed wing planes.

In a media release just after 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon, RCMP said the Kelowna Fire Department was on scene working to contain the fire, which is currently burning uphill toward Postill Lake and several other nearby lakes that have cabins and campsites. Kelowna RCMP are advising the public in those areas above Ellison to leave as a precaution.

Although it is not yet known whether the fire will reach the lakes, there are limited access roads for evacuation from the surrounding forested areas.

Kelowna RCMP and emergency service partners cannot stress enough the importance of staying out of the area. Emergency services will not allow members of the general public into the evacuation zone. Please stay away for your safety and the safety of responders.